CSC's opinion elates Capitolconsultants

CEBU, Philippines -  The 19 consultants of the Office of the Governor were elated by the opinion of the Civil Service Commission, which affirmed the authority of the governor to hire them.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was charged before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for malversation of public funds together with provincial treasurer Roy Salubre and consultants Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda, information and revenue generation; Atty. Manolet Dinsay, performance management; Remton Zuasola and Minerva Gerodias, television affairs; Antonio Aguirre, Jr., barangay affairs and Dr. Matheas Baguia, labor market information.

Also charged were Jose Eleazar Bersales, museum affairs; Sam Costanilla, media affairs; Ian Fresnido, interior designer; Tessie Javier, architecture; Rogelio Murcia, Jr., electronic media; Dr. Ester Velasquez, international relations; Col. Cesar Veloso, peace and order; Alfredo Amores, water and resource management; Antonio Almirante, legal research and legislation; Antero Caña, Jr., development communication; Ernesto Viernes, engineering and outsourcing; Atty. Lito Astillero and Atty. Jose Maria Gastardo.

Complainant Crisologo Saavedra alleged the hiring of 19 consultants was illegal because it did not have approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Provincial Board did not authorize Garcia to enter into a consultancy contract with them.

One of the respondents, Sepulveda, who is also the Capitol spokesperson, showed yesterday to reporters copy of CSC letter dated February 18, 2011 signed by Director Azucena Perez-Esleta addressed to Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr.

“On your third query it could be said that the contract for employment of consultants need not undergo the process required under Section 22 (c) of the Local Government Code, however, payment of their salaries are likewise subject to the provisions of Section 468 (a)(1)(viii) of the Local Government Code,” the letter said.

The vice governor has earlier asked the CSC if the services of a consultant made through contract be entrusted into by the local chief executive in behalf of the local government unit without prior authorization by the Sanggunian concerned.

Section 22 (c) of the LGC of 1991 states, “Unless otherwise provided in this Code, contract may be entered into by the local chief executive in behalf of the local government unit without prior authorization by the sanggunian concerned.”

Garcia did not recognize the appointment of Saavedra as consultant of Sanchez prompting him to file a complaint before the anti-graft office.

Sepulveda said there is no question about Sanchez’s authority to appoint officials and employees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

But he pointed out that Saavedra is neither an official nor an employee of the Office of the Vice-Governor.

“This letter is irrelevant and immaterial in the issue of whether or not are they consultant or are they ordinary persons misled to believe that they are consultant of the office of the vice governor,” Sepulveda said, referring to the CSC letter. (FREEMAN)