City administrator’s attendance quizzed

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City Council is urging Mayor Johnny De los Reyes to compel his son, City Administrator John Yre De los Reyes, to "punch in and out" on the biometrics system for his attendance.

The council also approved another resolution urging John Yre to attend the flag-raising ceremony every Monday morning "to set an example to all City Hall employees."

City Councilor Danilo Caballero introduced the two separate resolutions during the regular session yesterday.

Caballero claimed the city administrator has been submitting a non-biometric Daily Time Record and would just reportedly ask his father to sign it for him for payroll purposes.

Based on the Civil Service Commission, an employee, including the city administrator, is obliged to punch in and out of the biometrics system before and after work in a particular office, he said.

He also said it is "too awkward" for a city administrator to issue a memorandum to the city employees reminding them to punch in and out when he himself does not do the same.

The two resolutions were approved by the majority of the City Council.

Caballero then sent a letter to Emily Cabrera, head of Human Resource and Management Office, to secure a document which proves that John Yre did not use the biometrics in punching in and out of work in the previous years.

Reportedly, the city administrator submits a manual DTR with a uniform punch in time of in 8 a.m. and punch out time of 5 p.m.

The FREEMAN yesterday called and texted John Yre for his comment but the latter did not return the calls and messages.

However, in a January 26 letter addressed to Caballero, John Yre said biometrics recording of his attendance is "impossible" with the nature of his work as city administrator.

"I am required by the city mayor to be on call 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. Biometric recording for those who are on call 24/7 is an impossibility. Exigencies in the service also demand that I will be present only in activities where my services are vitally important," his letter read.

"Please review the Local Government Code so that you will be reminded that highly confidential positions are directly under the supervision and control of the executive department, not the legislative department, under the separation of powers (principle)," it added.

John Yre went on to tell Caballero to instead focus on crafting resolutions against drugs.

"I heard that some sectors are connecting your name to illegal drug activities, although I refuse to believe this myself," the city administrator said.

City Councilor Dennis Basillote, the mayor's ally at the council, reacted on the resolution requiring John Yre to be present during the flag ceremony, saying the CSC does not have such guideline. (FREEMAN)