Talisay junks work contract of Joavan's assistant at CH

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Hall has not renewed the job order contract of Joavan Fernandez's friend Benedict Gabasa.

Gabasa, who was arrested last September for driving a city-owned vehicle without a driver's license, was hired by the city hall last July and whose contract was supposed to end December this year.

But a staff member of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) said Gabasa has failed to report for work since October 1.

The source however did not offer any reason why Gabasa's work contract has not been renewed.

Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Joavan's father, in an interview with dyAB, said Gabasa is no longer connected with the city hall.

More often than not, a job order worker, with which city hall has more than 900, is granted a 15-day contract.

Gabasa however was one of the few who enjoyed the longest period at the city hall.

Each of these workers earns P280 per day.

While most of these more than 900 job order employees work in parks and playgrounds or as garbage collectors, or assistants of city officials, Gabasa's special and main function during his two-month stint was to assist Joavan in his feeding program.

It was reportedly why, according to city hall, Gabasa was driving the city's Toyota Revo when it was intercepted by the Pardo police last September, as the sports utility vehicle was assigned to Joavan for his project.

But according to reports, the service vehicle was used to fetch Gabasa's girlfriend in Mango Square in Cebu City.

The police chased the car, which reportedly carried Joavan who was allegedly pointing a gun at a Cebu City mall that day.

However, when the SUV was intercepted, Joavan was no longer there. (FREEMAN)