CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo is facing an administrative complaint before the Office of the President for alleged grave abuse of authority for allowing a member of his staff to work in the restaurant owned by his girlfriend.
Michael Abellana, former administrative aide at Carillo’s office, filed the complaint against the councilor for his “deceitful and fraudulent machinations” to the prejudice of the government.
“When I was assigned in the office of lawyer Gerardo Carillo as Admin III, he tasked and ordered me to work as cook in his restaurant/restobar named Baryo Grille Restaurant located at Pelaez Street, Cebu City within the time or during office hours that I worked as admin III in the Cebu City Government,” Abellana’s affidavit read.
Abellana said he was receiving P10,401 monthly salary from the city government. As a cook in the restaurant, Abellana said he has not received additional salary from the restaurant except for the P50 daily allowance.
Abellana was employed in the office of Carillo since July 1, 2013 until December 24, 2014.
Two other former staffers of Carillo also executed affidavits to prove that Abellana reports to City Hall to time in and out but is actually working at the restobar.
Rune Maquiling, former administrative assistant, said Abellana only reports to the City Hall to punch in and out in the biometrics. Maquiling alleged that he also experienced the same.
He said that aside from being an administrative assistant he also doubled as executive assistant to Carillo because his executive assistant, Raymund Sande, was assigned in the councilor’s business.
Six other former employees of Carillo also submitted their affidavits against the councilor. They are Maria Victoria Abellana, Delia Sanchez, Cristy Tiquel, Melven Fernandez, Josephine Ararao, and Marilyn Fernandez. They alleged that they were only paid P200 a day in the restaurant.
In a press conference, former congressman Tomas Osmeña yesterday admitted that he provided legal assistance to Abellana in filing the complaint.
Osmeña said it is improper to employ a staff of the City Hall for a personal business during office hours. Asked if it is politically-motivated, he said it is a “cheap alibi.”
“He (Abellana) is just an ordinary person. He is just following instructions. Maayo nalang he made sumbong,” Osmeña said.
Osmeña vowed to also file criminal complaint against Carillo before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.
Carillo dismissed the complaint as politically motivated. He questioned the timing of the complaint and the venue where it was filed.
“Nganong karon raman? Tungod kay ako ang leading in the survey?” he said.
Carillo is running for congressman in the south district under Team Rama against Representative Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa, an ally of Osmeña.
Carillo used to be a member of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan but bolted the group sometime in August 2014.
“Kanang si Abellana, ug ubang nihatag og affidavit against me are former workers of Bebot,” Carillo said.
Carillo said he will answer all the allegations as soon as he receives the complaint-affidavit.— (FREEMAN)