Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña
THE Civil Service Commission in Central Visayas (CSC-7) has ordered Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to reinstate former city engineer and planning officer Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez whom he transferred under his office.
In a resolution dated November 21 but received by Enriquez’s camp last week, CSC-7 Acting Director IV Editha Luzano pointed out that Enriquez has actually filed an appeal before their office regarding her reassignment to the mayor’s office.
She pointed out that under Rule 23 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS), employees can appeal their reassignment within 15 days after receiving a copy of the order if they believe the move is not justifiable.
“Pending appeal, the reassignment shall not be executory,” the CSC order read.
This was why the CSC told Osmeña to reinstate Enriquez to her previous position since the latter’s appeal is still pending.
In a July 15 memorandum, Osmeña reassigned Enriquez to the Office of the Mayor. She was given a special assignment to come up with a masterplan for the improvement of the Cebu City Jail facilities. She was also required to report to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
In the previous administration of former mayor Michael Rama, Enriquez used to be the head of the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).
Later on, she was made assistant head of the DEPW and officer-in-charge of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) before she was eventually transferred by Osmeña.
A copy of the CSC resolution was handed by Rama to reporters in a press conference he called last Friday.
“Pursuant to existing Civil Service Laws and Rules, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is hereby directed to immediately stop the implementation of the assailed July 15, 2016 Memorandum,” the CSC said.
At the same time, the CSC has asked the mayor to comment on the instant appeal of Enriquez within 15 days from receiving a copy of the order.
Sought for comment on the matter, Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) head Marie Velle Abella told Cebu Daily News that they have not yet received a copy of the CSC resolution.
Once they receive it, she said they will refer the matter to the City Legal Office for their action.