Danao mayor, SP ordered to file position paper

CEBU, Philippines - Danao City Mayor Ramonito “Boy” Durano Jr. asked the court to stop the release of P43 million as the compensation of 250 casual employees of Danao City.

Durano asked the court to issue a status quo order but Judge Sylva Paderanga of Regional Trial Court Branch 16 instead directed the mayor and the Sangguniang Panglungsod to file their position paper within five days.

Earlier, Durano Jr., through his counsel Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu filed a declaratory relief with the prayer of the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) represented by Vice Mayor Ramon Durano III.

Dalawampu asked the court to stop the SP from compelling the executive department to process the budget for the “questionable and illegal” insertions of about P43 million intended for the casual employees.

“Their will be an irreparable damage if they (SP) could not be restraint,” she said.

The plantilla is pending at the Office of the Mayor.

However, defense counsel Golier Cenisa said the matters raised by the petitioner were beyond the scope of injunction and TRO.

Cenisa also said there will be no damage if the amount is released because the city has available funds.

The city’s 2012 budget is P427 million.

In an interview with Dalawampu, she said the SP wanted to insert P43 million and they are against it because it’s not for basic services.

She said 250 causal employees for the Sangguniang Panlungsod were excessive.

The hearing of the case was reset to August 2, 2012. — (FREEMAN)