Dep’t heads loyal to Rama, 47 casuals out this week

Cebu City Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña, shown here talking with Mabolo elementary school officials, says it is up to her husband, incoming Mayor Tomas Osmeña, to replace those relieved from their posts. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

About 47 casual employees and several department heads loyal to outgoing Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama have until tomorrow to work at City Hall.

“Their services are no longer needed,” Acting Mayor Margot Osmeña said in yesterday’s press conference.

In a memorandum dated June 6, Osmeña terminated the services of City Hall Administrator Lucelle Mercado effective June 10.

She has been replaced by officer-in-charge City Administrator Veronica Morelos.

The acting mayor said coterminous appointments can be terminated at will or as soon as the appointing authority loses trust and confidence on the appointee.

Osmeña issued a separate memorandum ordering the termination of the services of the 47 casual employees.

The acting mayor said casual employees “may be laid off anytime before the expiration of the employment period when their services are no longer needed” or if funds are no longer available or if their project had already been completed.

The contract of these employees are supposed to end on June 30. Yet Osmeña ordered the termination of their services effective June 15.

She ordered the 47 casual employees to clear themselves of property and financial accountability.

“In the meantime, until you are cleared with any government accountability, processing of your terminal leave pay, retirement benefits or other accruing government benefits is hereby suspended,” she said.

Among those ordered terminated were South Road Properties (SRP) Management Office head Roberto Varquez, Secretary to the Mayor Belinda Navascues, and Public Information Office (PIO) chief Carlo Dugaduga.

Also laid off were Public Information Office supervisor Elmer “Jojo” Labella, the brother of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella; Civil Security Unit head Ramon Ortiz, former budget officer Nelfa Briones and Fort San Pedro executive director Erwin dela Cerna.

Likewise terminated were Cebu Business Center head Aniceto Canturias, Pastor Alcover and Allan Bautista of the Hillyland Management Board; Marlon Hofer of the Cebu City Cinema Development Council; City Hall’s resident Ombudsman Atty. Johnson Hontanosas and Alvin Santillana of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Asked if the City will be hiring new employees to replace those she has terminated, Osmeña said she will leave the matter up to the next administration.