Barili mayor defended by bro on nepotism charge

CEBU, Philippines – The brother of Barili Mayor Teresito Mariñas came out yesterday to defend the mayor from the nepotism charge that one resident has filed before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

Aniceto Mariñas also denied a separate complaint filed against him before the anti-graft office for allegedly using his position in the municipal government to enrich himself.

Aniceto said there was no truth to the allegations hurled by Kim Carmela Veloso against his brother because he was not appointed as Human Resource Management Officer of the town.

He however admitted having designated as the HRMO but is not receiving the benefits intended for the position. Aniceto said his item is administrative assistant which is considered as co-terminus under the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular (MC) No.22 series of 2007.

Aniceto said there is no law that prohibits an administrative assistant from being designated as HRMO. He explained that nepotism happens only when there is a permanent appointment based on the plantilla of the position and the appointee enjoys the security of tenure.

In his case, Aniceto said that he is not enjoying the benefits of a regular HRMO and does not enjoy any security of tenure.

Veloso earlier requested the anti-graft office to investigate the mayor of Barili for alleged nepotism. Veloso accused Mayor Mariñas of taking advantage his position by allegedly making illegal appointments.

Veloso claimed that Aniceto's appointment "is not only scandalous but prejudicial to the interest of the people of Barili" because the authority given to him went beyond his designation as Administrative Assistant II.

"The authority given was further expanded to have control over all department heads and hold positions such as member of the Bids and Awards Committee of which his brother, the Mayor, is also the chairman, notwithstanding his plantilla being a mere Administrative Assistant II," Veloso's complaint read.

Anecito was likewise accused of "shamelessly enriching" himself at the expense of the people of Barili, which he vehemently denied. (FREEMAN)