Allies support JVR’s decision to hire relatives

CEBU, Philippines - Allies of Talisay City Mayor Johnny Delos Reyes defended the chief executive’s decision to bring relatives to city hall.

City information officer Vince Monterde said the mayor has been completely transparent about the hiring of relatives.

“Trust and confidence man na. For security reasons, mao iyang gipang-hire iyang mga relatives,” Monterde said.

Monterde said their stay at city hall will end after 100 days.

Hazel Bathan, head of Human Resource Management Office, also said the mayor did not violate the law on nepotism.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and City Councilor Danilo Caballero in a separate interview said the mayor has his own reasons for hiring his relatives.

“The matter will be addressed by the mayor himself,” Villarante said.

Caballero said Delos Reyes, being a neophyte local chief executive, needs people who he can trust.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has reminded new public officials to strictly observe the rules governing nepotism.

The mayor appointed his son John Yre Delos Reyes as city administrator.

His son’s wife also works at city hall.

The mayor’s brother Joel Delos Reyes is now the head of the motor pool.

The Local Government Code explicitly prohibits the appointment of family members within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity with the appointing or recommending authority.

Section 49, Article X of Presidential Decree No. 807 also provides that “all appointments in the national, provincial, city, and municipal governments or in any branch or instrumentality, including government-owned or controlled corporations, made in favor of a relative of the appointing or recommending authority, or of the persons exercising immediate supervision over him, are hereby prohibited.”

However, exemptions are made to persons employed in a confidential capacity, teachers, physicians, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines provided that in each particular instance full report of such appointment shall be made to the commission.

CSC said nepotism “is a form of corruption that weakens the morale and productivity in the public sector, promotes patronage politics and breeds public distrust on government.” (FREEMAN)