‘Nancy can’t order Makati department heads to resign’

MANILA, Philippines — A Makati official yesterday reminded mayor-elect and outgoing Sen. Nancy Binay that she could not order city department heads to resign as they hold permanent positions under the Civil Service Code.

Makati administrator Claro Certeza issued the statement following Binay’s announcement last week that she intends to ask city department heads to submit their courtesy resignations.

“We respect the prerogative of the incoming mayor to ask for the courtesy resignations of the city’s department heads,” Certeza said.

“However, she should be reminded that the position of a department head is a permanent one under the Civil Service Code,” he added.

Unlike Cabinet members, Certeza said department heads in local government units are not political appointees, but career officials whose appointments are reviewed and approved by the Civil Service Commission and ratified by the city council.

“It is not within the power of a mayor to order the resignation of department heads,” Certeza said.

He said most department heads have served Makati for decades, some dating back to the administration of former mayor and vice president Jejomar Binay.

“They rose from the ranks based on merit, professionalism and performance,” Certeza said.