PEZA: Work goes on despite case in Ombudsman

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has assured locators, stakeholders, investors, and the general public that the agency is performing “normally and beyond par” under the supervision of its current Officer-in-charge amid the allegations hurled against the interim chief.

“The agency assures the locators, stakeholders, investors and the general public that it adheres to the highest standards of public service as it pursues its objective of promoting the Philippines as a premier business investment and manufacturing hub and destination in the world,” the investment promotion agency said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“Distractions and allegations perpetuated against PEZA only negatively affect the perception of the agency. With this statement, we aim to assure everybody that the agency is performing normally and beyond par under the aegis of its current OIC,” PEZA also noted.

A complaint, dated December 28, 2022, was filed by four PEZA employees against the agency’s Officer-in-charge Tereso O. Panga. The complaint, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman in Cebu City, contains charges of Usurpation of Authority and Violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Amando Virgil D. Ligutan, counsel for the four complainants, said in a televised interview on Tuesday that the employees filed the complaints because of the “persecution of the self-appointed” OIC of PEZA.

“They were persecuted precisely because they are identified as supporters of Director Plaza. The three of them were removed, their contracts were not renewed when in fact their performance was beyond satisfactory,” Ligutan said.

On the other hand, PEZA’S statement defended Panga. “This complaint with the Ombudsman is baseless, malicious and unfounded. Whatever issues that may be alleged therein are just rehash and obvious bad faith and forum shopping (in the case of the current employee complainant even after her appeal for status quo was granted.”

Peza said the OIC will reply to the allegations promptly upon receipt of a copy of complaint from the Ombudsman.

The investment promotion agency said the issues raised by the employees have been properly addressed by the PEZA management with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“As for the 3 former contractual employee-complainants, they have gone due process after having filed their respective clearances with PEZA and received their final separation pay,” Peza said.

Peza also refuted the lawyer’s “misleading” claims that Panga is “self-appointed/designated.” The agency said, “Being the most senior career executive and next in rank officer of the agency, the bases of the designation/assumption of the OIC are [Office of the President] OP Memorandum Circular (MC) Nos. 1, 3 and 9, the provisions of which are clear and immediately executory.”

This is strengthened, PEZA noted, by MC No. 12 which was recently issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for the OIC’S continuance of office until President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. appoints a permanent one.

“There was no self-designation/ appointment made by the current OIC but rather, his assumption of the duties and discharge the responsibilities of the head of the agency until a replacement has been appointed or designated is by operation of law pursuant to MC Nos. 1, 3 and 9,” Peza stressed.