Accuser recants claim on QC dads' ghost employees

MANILA, Philippines - The man who accused Quezon City Councilors Roderick Paulate and Francisco Calalay of having ghost employees on their payroll has reportedly recanted, sources said yesterday.

This developed as Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte declared there are no ghost employees at the city hall since she assumed her post in 2010.

Jimmy Lee Davis is reportedly withdrawing his allegations contained in a case he filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Last Wednesday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales announced that the anti-graft agency’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) found enough evidence for the conduct of preliminary investigation proceedings against the two lawmakers.

The fact-finding team, led by Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon, even recommended the issuance of a six-month preventive suspension order against Paulate and Calalay, who are also facing administrative charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and falsification of public documents.

Morales approved the findings and personally announced the results of the fact-finding probe in a speech before other officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

 Despite the alleged recantation, Star sources said the preventive suspension order recommendation against the councilors stays unless Morales rejects it or if the Court of Appeals issues a temporary restraining order. They said no actual order for preventive suspension has been issued yet despite Morales’ approval of the FIO’s recommendations.

Star sources said preliminary investigation can also still proceed since the FIO, now acting as the nominal complainant, has already finished its fact-finding or initial investigation.

Strict screening

Belmonte said the strict screening process by her office has enabled the city government to get rid of suspected ghost employees at the city hall.

“We have adapted stringent measures to avoid the practice. I am sure there are no more ghost employees. We are always following the regular recommendations of the Commission on Audit to stop this practice,’’ she said.

Belmonte added that her office has also formed a committee to work on the hiring of employees and to check the authenticity of the rosters and identities of the staff of the councilors. She said the committee is composed of members of the city council, the Office of the Vice Mayor and representatives from the budget and personnel departments.

The employees are required to show up for interviews and should paste their photos and place their thumbmarks on their resumes for a more stringent process.

Belmonte was mum on the case involving Calalay and Paulate, except to say she has not yet received the formal suspension order.

Meanwhile, city council majority floor leader Jesus Manuel Suntay said the suspension order may be “politically motivated.” He said Calalay is seeking a seat in Congress, while in Paulate’s case, a move by Congress to divide his bailiwick may have something to do with the charges. – Michael Punongbayan, Rhodina Villanueva