Talisay City Council OKs JVR daughter’s appointment

The Talisay City Council yesterday affirmed the appointment of the daughter of Mayor Johnny V. Delos Reyes as consultant of the city’s Indigent Pharmacy program.

Johnson Joy De los Reyes-Pagunsan, a pharmacist, finally got the nod of the City Council after the City Legal Office said her appointment does not violate the law against nepotism.

Alfredo Sipalay, city legal officer said that as a consultant, Delos Reyes-Pagunsan is co-terminus with her father.

ANTI-NEPOTISM RULE

“The nepotism rule covers all kinds of appointments whether original, promotional, transfer and reemployment regardless of status including casuals and contractual, except consultants,” Sipalay said in the legal opinion sought from his office by the City Council.

Sipalay also cited other precedents in the Cebu provincial government when  Pablo Garcia appointed his daughter Gwendolyn  and son, Nelson when he was governor from 1995 to 2004.

When Gwendolyn became governor, she appointed her brothers Pablo John and Byron as consultants, added Sipalay’s legal opinion.

Mayor delos Reyes has indicated he is no longer interested in enlisting her daughter as consultant after the City Council deferred her appointment and instead asked the City Legal Office to render an opinion on the issue.

DEFERRED

Councilor Edward Alesna, chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Budget Management and Ways, and Means moved last week to defer the appointment of Delos Reyes’ daughter.

He did not return calls when sought for comment after yesterday’s City Council approval.

A female staffer who answered his phone said the mayor could not take calls as he was in a meeting.