Garcia meets Sanchez's employees, reappointment assured

CEBU, Philippines - The 53 employees under the office of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. yesterday heaved a sigh of relief after they were personally assured by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of reappointment next year.

The staffers of Sanchez were met by Garcia yesterday to personally assure them that they will not be facing a “black Christmas and hungry New Year.”

“That’s why I called you para di namo maghilak. Maghilak tungod sa usa ka bakak,” Garcia said.

The employees of the vice governor’s office applauded the governor for the assurance she gave.

Marina Abear, Sanchez’s administrative chief, said they were happy to hear the assurance from Garcia.

“At least nalipay mi kay gikan gyud sa iya baba nipasalig gyud na siya nga dili gyud mahitabo. Gikan niya, di malalis, gikan na gyud sa gobernador nga gisulti nga mao na,” Abear said.

Abear, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, told the Governor that their apprehension was that the employees of the vice governor’s office will be outsourced.

Garcia said it never crossed her mind to outsource the staff of the vice governor’s office. Although, she is insisting that it is her that has the authority to sign their appointments.

“Wa pa nahitabo nga lain nipirma sa appointment. Bisan pa may budget sa wages, dili gihapon siya ang mopirma,” Garcia told the employees.

“Dili na ako character nga kun duna koy di mauyonan sa usa ka tawo, ako among-amongon ang uban,” she added.

Garcia explained that the employees should have been worried about the action of Sanchez in going to court to block the approval of the 2011 budget of the Capitol.

According to Garcia, had Sanchez succeeded in securing a temporary restraining order from the court, the casual employees will surely not get any reappointment because the Capitol will be operating a reenacted budget which does not include the salaries of casual employees.

Garcia asked the employees to trust her and to cooperate with the provincial government where they are working.

“If you don’t believe, get out and criticize me as you can,” she said. — THE FREEMAN