Danao casuals to get back wages

CEBU, Philippines - Justice is served to the 238 casual employees assigned at the Vice Mayor’s Office of Danao City who were not given their salaries by the previous administration.

Danao City RTC Branch 25 Presiding Judge Jerry Dicdican, in his order dated June 25, 2013, issued a writ of preliminary injunction commanding Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III to disregard the memorandum earlier issued by his brother, former mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr.

“No more legal issues, we are only waiting for the writ of execution,” said city councilor Jorge John Cane.  

Cane told The Freeman that the City Council has already passed a supplemental budget for the payment of the salaries and wages of the concerned employees.

Boy earlier issued a memorandum withholding the salaries of 250 casual employees for the months of June to September 2012.

But only 238 casual employees of the office then Vice Mayor Nito  filed a complaint against Boy for refusing to pay their salaries, wages, and benefits and accused him of grave abuse of authority, oppression and violation of human rights, serious misconduct, dereliction of duty, and unsatisfactory conduct prejudicial to the service.

The case was filed in the middle of the political tussle between the two Durano brothers who ran against each other for mayor in the May 13 elections from being allies in 2010 and in previous elections.

Other respondents in the mandamus are Danao City Budget Officer Teresita Almacen and Galacito Camaongay, officer-in-charge of the City Human Resource Management Office.

RTC Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Pedranga earlier issued a temporary restraining order which in effect ordered city officials to pay the salaries and benefits of their 238 casual workers but Boy vowed not to heed the court order.

Cane said that when Mayor Nito assumed office on July 1, he rehired the concerned employees. 

He also invalidated recently the appointments of more than 50 employees hired by former mayor Boy for not undergoing the proper process before the Personnel Selection Board.   (FREEMAN)