BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Like complainant Elsa Maternal, respondent Maasin, Iloilo’s Mayor Mariano Malones is not satisfied with the decision of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s (SP) Committee of the Whole on his administrative case.
Malones was pronounced “guilty of simple misconduct” with penalty of three months suspension.
In 2002, Malones terminated Maternal, the town’s assistant human resource management officer.
Malones said he was surprised of the committee’s decision. He believed he had satisfactorily answered Maternal’s complaint and backed this up with documents.
“I did not violate the order of the Civil Service Commission (CSC),” said Malones.
Maternal had also filed a complaint against Malones before the CSC. She claimed she was fired for no valid reason.
CSC cited Malones for indirect contempt because he had illegally abolished Maternal’s position.
Later, the CSC directed Malones to reinstate Maternal.
Malones said he tried to obey the CSC order but it could not be implemented because Maternal’s position had already been abolished.
He said the municipality of Maasin will pay Maternal based on the final decision of CSC.
“Whatever decision of CSC nga pabayran, bayran naton,” Malones said.
He also clarified that he respects the SP even if he is dissatisfied with its decision.
The mayor said he will wait for the Sept. 16 regular SP session when it deliberates on the report and recommendation of the Committee of the Whole.
For the suspension of Malones to take effect, there is a required number of votes needed, which is seven, said Vice Gov. Raul Tupas, the SP presiding officer.
If the SP sustains the decision of the committee, the implementation will be done by the Office of the Governor, said Tupas who also chaired the Committee of the Whole.
But if the required number of votes is not achieved, he said, the recommendation of the committee would not be imposed.
According to Malones, if ever the SP’s final deliberation does not favor him, he has the option to bring the case to a higher court./PN
