Council to probe complaint on firing of workers

CEBU, Philippines -   The Cebu City Council decided to form a committee composed of three city legislators tasked to investigate the complaint filed by Cogon-Pardo Barangay Captain Eugenio Gabuya Jr. against one of his councilmen.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young has been authorized by the City Council to appoint three city councilors from the north district to compose the Committee of Three to investigate the complaint filed against Cogon-Pardo Councilwoman Orvilla Bacalso.

Gabuya earlier filed a case for usurpation of authority against Bacalso before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas after the latter personally asked City Hall to replace the four barangay garbage collectors without his knowledge.

Gabuya said that Bacalso, being only a member of the Barangay Council, does not have power to appoint or to replace any of the barangay employees even if she is supported by City Councilor Eduardo Rama.

Bacalso wrote Councilor Rama, chairman of the City Council’s committee on public services, asking for the replacement of the four barangay garbage collectors namely Primo Sanchez, Roger Betcher, Felix Radaza and Filomeno Eran.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol referred the case to the City Council because the Local Government Code provides that the LGU’s legislative body is empowered to impose disciplinary actions against erring barangay officials.

But Mayor Michael Rama argued that the mayor has the prerogative to hire garbage workers for the barangays because it is the city that pays for their monthly honorarium.  (FREEMAN)