Lim charged with nepotism

MANILA, Philippines - Members of a civil society group filed nepotism charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday before the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for appointing two of his relatives to posts in the city government.

Emilio Manaois, one of the 10 complainants and a member of the Manileño Kontra Abuso, said in a statement that Lim violated Section 59 of Executive Order 292

Manaois said Lim appointed his son, Rogelio Lim, as Government Assistant Head III on July 2, 2007. Exactly a year later, Rogelio was promoted to head the Manila City Barangay Bureau.

Lim also appointed his brother-in-law, retired colonel Franklin Gacutan, as Executive Assistant III on July 1, 2008 and as chief of the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team and chief of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau.

Manaois said the offices headed by the younger Lim and Gacutan are directly under the control and supervision of the Office of the Mayor.

Lim violated the law since he appointed a relative within the third civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, according to Manaois.

He also said Lim also violated the law when he appointed Gacutan as Executive Assistant III since the post should belong to a career service executive and not a retired policeman.   – Sandy Araneta