Musical chairs for some Capitol workers in June

WHEN Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s suspension ends on June 19, more than 200 casual employees’ assignments may change.

Noli Valencia, head of the Provincial Government’s Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), said he will consult the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on some issues, like whether the governor can appoint a new staff in her 11 remaining days at the Capitol.

Eight of the nine employees who were coterminous with the governor have already resigned, while she served her six-month suspension for usurpation of authority.

“Karon pa ni nahitabo sukad-sukad (This has never happened before),” Valencia said.

Garcia’s first term as congresswoman of the third district of Cebu Province will begin at noon on June 30.

Starting July 1, 2013, the six-month appointment papers of new and returning casual workers will be issued. By then, Governor-elect Hilario Davide III will head the Capitol on his first term.

But from June 19 to 30, there will be movements for casual employees: 176 under the acting governor’s office and 56 under the acting vice governor’s office.

Those working with Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale will be transferred to Governor Garcia, except for the seven who are coterminous with Magpale.

Those under Acting Vice Gov. Julian Daan will move to Magpale’s office. Daan will return to the Provincial Board and will retain only his nine original staff.

Valencia said that Magpale’s coterminous employees are Basiliso Sungcad, Marina Aviar, Wilfred Lucas, Desiree Abapo, Virgilio Mendoza, Charlie Almirante and Czareem Joseph Estela.

They will remain with her when she resumes office as vice governor. Estela, however, has reportedly just resigned.

Garcia’s coterminous employees were Elizabeth Francia, Ronald Canopio, Jerry Wynonna Catipay, Edwin Mixdon, Elena Samson, Amor Sarmiento, Rowena Zulueta and Grace Paulino. Only Paulino has not resigned.

This means the governor will have to recall her former casual employees, now assigned in different offices.

CSC Assistant Regional Director Editha Luzano said their Memorandum Circular 10, issued in 2011, prohibits outgoing officials from appointing employees.

But Garcia can hire her own staff in her personal capacity, without using government funds, Luzano said.

As of May 31, 2013, the Capitol has 530 casual employees plus 974 regular employees and 17 elected officials.