Maambong won't withdraw endorsement of Parojinog

Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong will no longer withdraw his endorsement of Purita Parojinog as the next district collector of the Bureau of Customs replacing Lourdes Mangaoang.

Maambong earlier reserved his decision to withdraw his endorsement of Parojinog until she will appear before the board and explain her job qualification.

Parojinog's critics, including Mangaoang, had questioned the board for endorsing her for the BoC's top post in Cebu despite her lack of qualification.

However, Maambong said that during Parojinog's audience with the board during last Monday's session, he was satisfied with her explanation that she could still apply for the position while waiting for a promotion.

Parojinog had told the board that there were other BoC officials who were able to hold the post while waiting for promotion.

She cited the case of two BoC officials, one of whom was Mangaoang, who were promoted from Collector 2 to Collector 5 in 2002, saying that although they did not have third-level eligibility, they were eventually appointed as district collector.

Parojinog said these officials only got their third-level eligibility in 2003.

Maambong said that he is not worried to endorse Parojinog for the post because, after all, the board is not the appointing authority and that it is the selection board that decides if she fits in the position.

Vice Governor Greg Sanchez earlier announced that Board Members Joven Mondigo, Carmiano Kintanar and Agnes Magpale have already withdrawn their support for Parojinog.

Magpale earlier explained that she was not convinced with Parojinog's contention when questions of her lack of eligibility were raised, saying that she was hesitant from the start to sign the endorsement. - Flor Z. Perolina