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by Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News
Of almost 8,000 Makati City Hall employees, 17 councilors, and about 60 staff members are in danger of not receiving their salaries by the end of March amid the continuing standoff between Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. and acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr.
Acting City Administrator Vissia Marie Aldon on Wednesday said the Office of the Vice Mayor refused to receive and sign the payroll for the employees.
As vice mayor, Peña is the presiding officer of the city council and takes charge over matters pertaining to the city’s legislative body.
Aldon showed a copy of the payroll for March 16-31 2015, without Peña’s signature, but bearing marks of receiving stamp with a handwritten note saying “refused to receive by the staff of OVM.”
She said Peña also refused to sign the checks for the salaries and even the payroll for April which were made in advance.
“Ang hinihintay lang naman namin pirmahan niya,” said Aldon, when asked if the employees’ salaries can still be released by next week.
“Ngayon lang namin nalaman, na-shock nga ako,” said Councilor Mayeth Casal-Uy.
She said she was not aware that the standoff between Binay and Peña will eventually lead to its present consequence, sacrificing the salaries of employees estimated to cost around P1.3 million.
Uy appealed to Peña to sign the salaries of the employees.
But according to Peña, his hands are tied by the oath of office he took as acting mayor. He said as acting mayor, he can no longer sign for the city council and may face legal repercussion if he does.
“Ang pwede hong gawin is for the councilors to choose a new presiding officer na pipirma,” Peña said.
He explained that it will be easy for the councilors to proceed with such act, since all 17 councilors belong to a single party, that of Binay’s party.
This story was re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
