CSC: University prexy is guilty of nepotism

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently ruled that Negros Oriental State University president Henry Sojor was guilty of nepotism as charged.

The decision, promulgated last February 1 and signed by CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III and Commissioner Maryann Fernandez-Mendoza, stated that Sojor is penalized with "dismissal from service with all the accessory penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits, disqualifications from reemployment in the government service, cancellation of eligibility and bar from taking any Civil Service examination."

Sojor was charged with nepotism by the CSC-Central Visayas Regional Office for appointing his half-sister Estrella Sojor-Mananquil as casual clerk of the state university, in violation of the nepotism law under Section 59 of the Book 5 of the Administrative Code or Executive Order 292.

Sojor, in his counter-affidavit over the CSC ruling, denied violating the law by employing Mananquil.

His lawyer Salito Erames said, in a local radio interview, they are planning to file at the CSC a motion for reconsideration and, in case this would be denied, would seek a certiorari at the Supreme Court.

Sojor cannot be reached for comment on the matter because he is still in Luzon for an official trip. (FREEMAN)