Joson slams CSC for OK of Ecija gov's aide as PIO

CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson has slammed the Civil Service Commission for its decision upholding the appointment of a close aide of Gov. Aurelio Umali despite the aide’s lack of qualifications.

Describing the CSC decision as “dangerous precedent,” Joson said that the ruling might cause chaos and confusion among local government units nationwide, particularly when it comes to the appointment of certain government officials.

“It’s a dangerous decision. It is disruptive of the operations of all LGUs,” Joson said of the recent CSC ruling which upheld the appointment of Edgardo Rillon as provincial information officer.

The CSC, in Resolution 081614 not only upheld Rillon’s appointment but also reversed an earlier decision made by CSC Region 3 director Carlos Rabang who found Rillon to be lacking in first grade civil service eligibility as well as for having no concurrence from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) as stipulated in the Local Government Code, considered the “bible” of all LGUs.

The controversy over Rillon arose after Umali designated him as provincial information officer on Sept. 21 last year. A month later, Rabang disapproved his appointment, citing his lack of eligibility and the lack of concurrence by the SP.

In November, Rillon filed an urgent motion for reconsideration, contending that the position of provincial information officer is optional and co-terminous and is not covered by security of tenure and thus, he does not need to undergo competitive examinations.

While the CSC acknowledged that Rillon indeed lack the two requirements, it gave weight to his claims that his appointment was co-terminous with Umali and that the trust and confidence of the appointing authority (Umali) takes precedence over his lack of qualifications.

Joson, the presiding officer of the SP, said this argument of the CSC that trust and confidence must take precedence over qualifications is flawed in the sense that it has rocked the spirit and intent of the LGC which specified the qualifications and disqualifications for the position of provincial information officer.

Joson furthered that Section 486 of the Code was very specific with regard to the appointment of the provincial information officer which states that no person shall be appointed to such post unless he is a first grade civil service eligible. The Code, he said, also provides for the concurrence of the SP.

Why set qualification standards if these would not be followed?” he asked.

He said that the resolution has only muddled up the issue of the legality of appointments which are often overlooked by local chief executives, citing the case of the provincial administrators in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.  – Manny Galvez