Suan: Kin not ‘JOs’, just recommendees

By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents
 
COUNCILOR Lordan Suan yesterday lashed back at Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy for alleging that his family members were in his list of “job order” workers, pointing out that none of them ever worked as such.

Suan however admitted that he asked Uy to allow his relatives to be included as “job order”workers, a request that was not granted by Uy.

A letter sent by Suan to Uy sought the vice mayor’s go-ahead for eight personnel under “job order”status for the period of September to December 2016. The list includes Suan’s uncle Eriberto Gualberto Jr., Annaliza Mae Diaz, sister Clarrisa Mae Suan, father Agapito Suan Jr., Henry Rago, Josephine Padios, and Agapito Eriberto Suan.

The name of the eighth recommendee, Ramon Gualberto, was handwritten.

Uy earlier said most of those in Suan’s list are the councilor’s relatives, including his father and sister.

Suan, a lawyer by profession, clarified that his relatives never served as “job order”workers because their papers were never approved.

“Dili man nako sila  ‘job orders’ kay initial list ra man to nga gipasa for approval. Wala man sila na-approve, and wala na sila sukad naka-work as ‘job order’ under me. Wa man gani na silay napirmahan nga application,” said Suan.

He said that while he recommended his relatives, their papers were not processed and none of them even submitted personal data sheets.

On Monday afternoon, Uy went public with Suan’s list of “job orders” after one worker associated with the councilor filed an administrative complaint against the vice mayor before the interior department.

The worker, Eric Alcantara, claimed he did not get paid by city hall for his months of work because Uy did not approve his “job order” papers. He accused Uy of violating the code of conduct for government officials and oppression, among others.

On Monday afternoon, an angry Uy told the city council he could not approve Suan’s request because there is a law against nepotism or favoritism shown to relatives by those in power.

Suan said there were only two “job order”workers under him: Alcantara and Gregor Alfonsin Pondoyo. But he said Uy also disapproved their appointment  papers.

“So nganong gipalabas man nga na-a koy ‘job order’ nga pamilya?” Suan asked rhetorically.

Suan added: “I only had two ‘job orders’ since last year pa… Wala man ko naka-commit og nepotism kay wala man koy ‘job orders.’ Wala may appointment nahitabo in favor of me.”

He said he recommended his relatives after councilors were supposedly told to submit the names of new workers to be hired by city hall.

Suan explained that he recommended some members of his family because under the law, “job order” workers can perform “confidential functions.”

“Tinuod kana nga naay nepotism pero kabalo ko nga naay exemption because I am a lawyer. Iya lamang kanang gilabay diha nga isyu aron masampungan ang tinuod nga isyu nga naay nasayop ang iyang discretion sa paghatag og job order,” Suan said.

He criticized Uy and alleged that the vice mayor has approved the appointment of “job order” workers recommended by other councilors who are his political allies.

“How come he approved the appointments of the relatives of his councilor-friends?” asked Suan. “Siya ang naka-commit  og nepotism kay iyang gi-appoint ang mga pamilya sa iyang mga kaalyado nga hangtud karon naa pa diha sa   city hall… existing  ‘job order’ gasuweldohan pa sa gobyerno.”

He said members of the city council minority were being unfairly treated. “Ang majority bloc kumpleto ang ilang ‘JO’, gaabot man gani sa napulo. Kami sa minority, wala, galisod gani kami og lihok.”

Suan said, “The fact remains that  he abused his authority by disallowing all ‘job orders’ and request of councilors he does not like while promptly approving everything for his friends.”