CODI to rule on status of Garcia’s employees soon

CEBU, Philippines - The fate of the six co-terminus employees of suspended governor Gwendolyn Garcia will soon be known as the Committee on Discipline and Investigation (CODI) is set to finally decide on their employment status.

This as the six employees still failed to report to the office of Acting Governor Agnes Magpale even with the formal requests and memorandum sent to them to give a letter of explanation on the continued absence.

Atty. Michel Ligan, new CODI head, said that a memo was issued last Friday and the six employees were given 72 hours to submit a reply on concerns of their attendance.

As of yesterday, Ligan said that they have not received any letter from all six of Garcia’s co-terminus employees namely, Elizabeth Francia, Winnona Catipay, Edwin Mixdon, Elena Samson, Amor Sarmiento and Ronald Canopio.

Atty. Czareem Estella, one of Magpale’s legal counsels, confirmed that applied for leave of absence but was incomplete and was not approved.

Ligan said their failure to report can be considered as absence without official leave (AWOL), which is a ground for termination.

“But hopefully dili ta maabot ana,” said Ligan, adding that this was why Magpale is asking the employees to at least show up so that they can discuss their reassignment to another office.

Supposedly, the six employees should be under the supervision of Magpale being the acting governor and her own co-terminus employees will be transferred to the office of Acting Vice-Governor Julian Daan.

But Magpale earlier admitted that she would not be comfortable working with the employees of Garcia.

Daan agreed to take in all of Garcia’s co-terminus employees.

Ligan said the six employees have been given enough time and if they continue to ignore the memo and notices, CODI will be forced to make a decision.

The employees can also be held liable for insubordination after refusing to comply with Magpale’s notices.

Magpale’s camp earlier said they will be filing criminal charges against the employees.

The FREEMAN tried to reach Francia for comment on the matter but she was not available.  (FREEMAN)