Citing possible return of Degamo Macias rehires 'essential' JOs for a month’s work only

CEBU, Philippines — Negros Oriental's assumed Governor Edward Mark Macias had renewed the contracts of Capitol's job order (JO) workers who are doing the "essentials" only, and also on a contractual basis for a one-month period only.

Macias said he did this because their contracts have expired in December last year and he has to rehire JOs who are doing the essentials, especially those who has to do with health services, but only for a-month work, because of two scenarios.

First scenario is when suspended Gov. Roel Degamo is able to get a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the dismissal order, then the latter will have a clean slate at the Capitol to continue.

Second is when Degamo fails to get a TRO by January 16, 2018-the last day of the 90-day preventive suspension-then Macias said he will proceed with enforcing matters that are good for the province.

Macias clarified that he is doing this because the DILG had ordered him to assume the post of governor and make sure there is no vacuum in the delivery of basic services. On the case of Capitol workers, he said he has not hired or rehired anybody from his political camp.

He reiterated previous pronouncements that he will voluntarily give up the office as soon as he receives orders from authorities, in the event Degamo acquires a TRO after January 16, 2018.

Meanwhile, Degamo was dismayed upon learning that Macias issued a general order for all employees to go back to their respective mother units, including employees who he had put on 'floating status' for valid reasons. 

Among them are Engineer Berchmans Patrimonio, who is back as head of the Provincial General Services Office and at the same time designated by Macias as the provincial administrator; Alice Lagarde as provincial social welfare officer; and Pedro Tuble as OIC provincial engineer. But, for the provincial jail, Macias has not yet ordered the return of Joselito Bitoon as its warden.

Degamo accused Macias of breaking a verbal agreement and announced during interviews that he will not change the present set-up and make necessary changes being a caretaker, because the Ombudsman is not even a court, the final arbiter will still be the Supreme Court.

Macias contended, it was different when he received the second order on December 19, 2017 for him to assume as governor following the service of the Ombudsman dismissal order on Degamo. It was the understanding of Degamo that Macias will maintain the status quo, despite the dismissal order, because Degamo said this can be cured with a TRO.

Macias met with employees of the Governor's Office on Wednesday to explain to them why he issued the orders on rehiring 'essential' JOs only.

He added that, in the case of the bids and awards committee whose chairman had resigned recently, he has to reconstitute it as mandated of him by law.  (FREEMANNEWS)