JVR ditches plan to hire daughter

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes will not wait for the opinion of the city legal office regarding his intention to hire his daughter as consultant and pharmacist for the city’s Indigent Pharmacy.

Johnson Joy R. Pagusan is the mayor’s daughter and as consultant, she would have kept an eye on the pharmacy at city hall for six months.

De los Reyes withdrew his endorsement after receiving criticisms for alleged nepotism.

The mayor feared that his critics especially in the opposition will use the issue against him.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminds public officials to strictly observe the rule on nepotism, which is a form of corruption that weakens morale and productivity in the public sector, promotes patronage politics, and breeds public distrust on government.”

The rule states “No appointment in the national, provincial, city or municipal governments or any branch or instrumentality thereof, including government owned or controlled corporations with original charters shall be made in favor of relative or the appointing or recommending authority, or of the chief of the bureau or office or of the person exercising immediate supervision over the appointee.”

“Unless otherwise provided by law, the word “relative” and the members of the family referred to are those related within the third degree either of consanguinity or of affinity,” CSC MC No. 40 clarifies.

However, the nepotism rule exempts the following: persons employed in a confidential capacity, teachers, physicians, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Moreover, according to the memorandum circular, “the nepotism rule covers all kinds of appointments whether original, promotional, transfer, and re-employment regardless of status including casuals and contractual workers, except consultants.”

With the pronouncement of the mayor to withdraw his endorsement of Pagusan as consultant, Talisay City Councilor Edward Alesna said they might no longer tackle the issue in the next session.

The mayor also decided to stop the Indigent Pharmacy’s operation temporarily until the city government can hire a full-time pharmacist. (FREEMAN)