Comelec awaits formal request

CEBU, Philippines - The movement of personnel for the Governor and Vice Governor’s office in the Provincial Capitol will have to wait as the Commission on Elections awaits the submission of a formal request from the office of Acting Governor Agnes Magpale or Acting Vice Governor Julian Daan. 

Last January 28, Magpale and Daan wrote to Lambino asking for legal advice on the transfer, reassignment or movement of employees from the Office of the Governor to the Vice Governor, and vice versa, in line with Comelec resolution 9385.

It is stated in the resolution that the transfer or movement of officers and employees from January 13 to June 12 are prohibited as part of the election ban unless a formal request would be approved by Comelec.

In a letter of reply from Comelec Regional Director Temie Lambino to Magpale, he indicated that since Magpale has “assumed office due to the Governor’s temporary incapacity to perform official duties by reason of her suspension,” Magpale can exercise all the powers and prerogatives of the Office of the Governor, including the power to transfer, reassign, detail or make any movement of personnel.”

But Lambino said that even having mentioned such, a formal request would still have to be requested from their office.

Apart from seeking legal opinion, the letter sent by the office of the Acting Governor to Lambino last week mentioned that if they are allowed to transfer then they are requesting for an approval to proceed with the movement of personnel.

However, Comelec Cebu Provincial Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano explained that all the necessary requirements would need to be included in the letter such as the names of the personnel to be transferred and where they would be detailed.

Castillano said that once the requirements are in the letter of request and further approved by Lambino, then the transfer of personnel can take place.

Atty. Chad Estella from Magpale’s office said that they would have to discuss the matter.

Those that would be transferred include the co-terminus employees of suspended Governor Gwen Garcia who would supposedly be working under Magpale’s office.

But Magpale admitted that she would not be comfortable working with Garcia’s staff members. She said Daan has agreed to take in the employees.

The eight co-terminus employees of Garcia have been required to report first to the office of Magpale last February 1 as indicated in a memorandum sent to them last week. 

But Magpale said that as of yesterday, only Mary Grace Paulino reported to her. All the others including Elizabeth Francia, Ronald Conopio, Jerry Catipay, Edwin Mixdon, Ma. Elena Samson, Amor Sarmiento and Rowena Zulueta have not showed up.

Magpale said that she would have to check reports that the said personnel are on leave.

Meanwhile, Magpale said that she is not ready to transfer yet to the office of the Governor at the executive building.

Aside from the inventory in the Governor’s office which is not yet done, Magpale said that she still has a lot of work to be done in her office.

Magpale said that she has asked Daan to have other staff members and casual employees stay at the second floor first, where the lounge would be set up into a temporary office space. (FREEMAN)