Group calls for reinstatement of dismissed Antique provincial worker

MANILA, Philippines - A group of government employees on Wednesday expressed  support to a dismissed Antique provincial government worker who has been on a hunger strike to protest his non-reinstatement.

Courage said it is rallying behind Eric Otayde, Antique provincial information officer, who was on his sixth day of hunger strike.

At the same time, Courage national president Ferdinand Gaite called on the Antique government to set aside politics and respect the rights of ordinary government employees.

"We appeal to the Antique government to set aside politics and respect the rights of the government employees. Reinstate Otayde now. They have nothing to lose but more to gain -  the respect of the employees," he said.

Otayde, 49, was terminated by Governor Exequiel Javier in August 2010 allegedly because Otayde’s appointment is co-terminous with then out-going Governor Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez.

But the Civil Service Commission has ruled that the termination was illegal. However, Javier questioned the decision in the Court of Appeals.

"This is the trouble with local politics and patronage system. It is always the government employees who have to suffer the wrath of the squabbling political rivals.

"The politicians will bring their own hordes of supporters to the office and often get back at the ordinary workers by replacing them for their supposed loyalty to the outgoing officials. Even mere association is considered disloyalty," Gaite said.  - Dennis Carcamo