Gov Davide denies ‘illegal’ appointment

CEBU, Philippines — Contrary to the complaint filed by Cebu Third District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia, the Capitol clarified that there was no illegal appointment made by the provincial government.

“As far as this office is concerned, there was no illegal appointment,” said Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

He said the provincial government will officially make its explanation on the matter once it receives the official order from the Office of the Ombudsman to respond.

Garcia complained that the appointments of Provincial Budget Officer Danilo Rodas and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rene Catan were illegal because the items they filled in were not in fact vacant at the time of their appointment.

The former holders of such positions were former budget officer Emee Gingoyon and Dr. Christina Giango. Both were dismissed from service by the Ombudsman in 2015.

With this in mind, Davide declared the positions vacant.

The two dismissed employees then appealed the Ombudsman decision at the Court of Appeals (CA). It resulted into the downgrading of their offense from grave misconduct and grave abuse of duty to simple misconduct.

In effect, the penalty of being dismissed from service was changed to three months suspension without pay.

Heeding the CA decision, Davide then moved to reinstate the two former department heads in 2018. Up to date, only Giango reports to the Capitol.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale clarified that the item given to Catan was only second in rank to Giango even if he functionally serves as the office head of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

“The position occupied by Dr. Catan is not the position left vacant by Dr. Giango,” she said.

At present, the reinstated doctor is with the Medical Clinic Unit of the PHO.

“Gingoyon was reinstated by the governor. There was a letter already written by the governor but he refused. Siya mismo kay nangluod and etcetera but dunay waiver si Danny (Rodas),” Magpale added.

The Capitol said that both Rodas and Catan were made aware of the circumstances that they may need to go back to their previous position, before they were named permanent government employees and appointed in their respective positions.

Davide, Magpale, Rodas, Catan, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, and Human Resource Officer Bonifer Nacorda are facing administrative and criminal charges before the Ombudsman for the alleged illegal appointment.

The FREEMAN tried to reach Catan for his comment but he was on leave, while Rodas chose to not comment on the matter.

Davide remarked that he would no longer try to question the timing of Garcia’s complaint as the intention of the other party.

For her part, Magpale said that with the election period approaching, it is expected that their political rivals will try to “sully” their reputation.

If there was indeed questionable in the appointment of the two officials, the vice governor is also puzzled why she is the only one held liable in the Provincial Board when the appointment was ratified by the august body. (FREEMAN)