MMDA chief faces oppression case

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino was charged with oppression before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday for his alleged refusal to release collective negotiation agreement (CNA) benefits to the agency’s workers for the year 2011.

Assistant general manager for finance Edenison Fainsan was also named as a respondent in the case filed by the Kagalingan ng mga Kawani ng MMDA (KKK-MMDA).

The labor union’s secretary-general, Thess Gonzales told The STAR said the complaint stems from Tolentino’s continued refusal to release employee’s benefits of P25,000 each despite an order from the Civil Service Commission. She said Fainsan is being charged for claiming that the MMDA does not have enough funds to pay the CNA benefits of the agency’s workers.

Gonzales said their six-page complaint accuses Tolentino and Fainsan of harassment, abuse of authority, union busting, and violation of a CNA.