Those campaigning vs Barug: CH, barangay workers face termination

CEBU, Philippines — The days are numbered for City Hall employees and barangay workers who campaigned for outgoing Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in the last elections.

 Mayor-elect Edgardo Labella admitted that these employees may be terminated. In a phone interview, Labella said a committee is now reviewing and evaluating the performance of the City Hall casual and job orders including the barangay workers.

Among the considerations that the members of the review committee are looking into is their participation in the last elections.

“I don’t mind if they voted in favor of the opposite side but if they campaign hard and involved in mudslinging and character assassination, of course, these are considered because it is not fair to our supporters,” he told The FREEMAN.

Labella made his comment following reports that thousands of barangay workers, who are getting cash incentives from the city government, feared of losing their jobs once the new administration would take over City Hall.

As of now, the city government is giving monthly honoraria and/or incentives to lupons, tanods, drivers, garbage loaders, nutrition scholars, health workers, environmental officers, day care workers, gender and development focal persons, street sweepers, and barangay officials.

Labella said the city, under his watch, will continue to release honoraria and/or incentives to barangay workers as long as there are available funds.

“You have to take into consideration that there may be others who have been active campaigning against our group, our candidates. That should be considered because it is not fair for our supporters that there are those who actively campaigned against us will be renewed while there are supporters who worked so hard for us…even their careers, they risked their opportunities,” he said.

He, however, did not make a categorical statement when asked if outright dismissal would be imposed against those identified with the other camp.

“I am a fair man. I am not a vindictive man. That’s precisely the reason why I created a committee and the report of the committee will be validated by me and other political personalities of the group. We will ask the barangay captains, the officials who are with us,” he added.

Labella said he will not follow the outgoing administration that ordered the “sweeping termination” of all allies of the previous administration.

There will be several sources who will be asked to validate, assess, and evaluate the participation of the employees and barangay workers in the last elections, he said.

“To be frank about it, those who worked hard against us and even involved in mudslinging and character assassination against our group, then we will take cognizant of their posturing and those demeanor by them because we have to take into consideration that we also have our supporters who worked hard for us, who helped us,” Labella said.

“Their sacrifice should not go unnoticed by us. We have to give importance to their help and their sacrifices vis-a-vis those of instead of just working, even get involved in mudslinging and political activity against us,” he added.

The committee that will evaluate the City Hall employees and barangay workers would be composed of the incoming City Administrator Atty. Floro Casas, Jr.; incoming chief of staff Atty. Mary Rose Salvatierra-Lubino; and incoming City Attorney Rey Gealon. (FREEMAN)