JPE refers Reyes’ case to CSC

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has asked the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to determine if the term of Senate secretary-on-leave Emma Lirio-Reyes can be extended to June 6 as she had requested.

Reyes reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 for government workers last Jan. 31.

Enrile said he cannot act on the request of Reyes to stay until June 6 when the Senate adjourns sine die.

“There being a legal issue whether or not attorney Emma Lirio-Reyes may continue to perform the functions of Senate secretary after having reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years old, it is deemed prudent to urgently request the Civil Service Commission for legal opinion on the matter,” he said.

“The CSC’s legal opinion is needed to obviate any legal issues or complications that may arise if she were allowed to continue to perform sensitive functions of the position of Senate secretary.”

In a letter to Enrile, Reyes said she could not as yet have her retirement papers processed because of a possible problem with the documentary requirement.

“In accordance with the Senate Rules, my term of office will expire upon the election of my successor, I would like to respectfully request that I be allowed to stay on until June 6, 2013 when the Senate adjourns sine die,” read the letter.

Enrile named lawyer Edwin Bellen, deputy secretary for legislation, office-in-charge to assume the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Senate.

Meanwhile, Dante Jimenez, of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, has called on Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to act on their complaint against Enrile and other senators in connection with the distribution of additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) last December.

Cayetano is chairman of the Senate ethics committee.