BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Maasin, Iloilo’s Mayor Mariano Malones is appealing the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) Committee of the Whole ruling finding him guilty of simple misconduct for illegally terminating his town’s assistant human resource officer.
The committee also meted him with the penalty of three months suspension.
Today, the SP is scheduled to either adopt or reject the committee’s position.
“I will appeal if they could possibly defer their deliberation on the decision of the committee,” said Malones.
The mayor met Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Vice Gov. Raul Tupas yesterday. He presented a letter from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) inviting him to a “hearing.”
Malones previously said he was seeking guidelines from the CSC on the reinstatement of Elsa Maternal because her position has already been abolished.
In 2012, Maternal filed a complaint against Malones before the CSC over her illegal dismissal.
The CSC later ruled that Maternal had been illegally dismissed, and ordered Malones to reinstate her and pay her back wages.
Maternal also filed a complaint against Malones at the SP.
Yesterday, Malones said his legal counsel asked the SP for a hearing. There had been none on Maternal’s complaint, he said.
Vice Guv. Tupas, SP presiding officer, tried to play down whatever decision the Provincial Board will make today.
“We are just obeying the law, the process…it should be the ones that must prevail because we are a government of laws and not of men,” said Tupas.
For the suspension of Malones to take effect, at least seven SP members must vote in favor of the Committee of the Whole’s ruling.
Nine SP members signed the committee’s draft decision.
Two Board members – Licurgo Tirador of the 3rd District and Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo of the 4th District – inhibited while 1st District’s Ninfa Garin and Dennis Valencia did not sign it.
Tupas said the positions of these four SP members will be heard during the deliberation today.
He also said it is possible that the other SP members who signed the draft decision of the Committee of the Whole will change their minds.
If Malones is suspended, the vice mayor will acting as mayor of Maasin, said 2nd District Board member June Mondejar.
Tupas said Malones has options if he gets an adverse SP decision. He may seek an appeal with the Provincial Board or even with the Office of the President./PN
