Cugman SK chair’s dual posts in gov’t ‘untenable’

Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Kiranjit Aldeguer will consult with her family to decide whether to retain her post or relinquish it in favor of a teaching job at the Department of Education.

This development came after the City Legal Office, the DepEd regional office legal division and the city office of the Department of Interior and Local Governments were unanimous in saying that Aldeguer cannot keep both posts since it violates the Constitution.

During Tuesday morning’s meeting of the City Council Labor and Employment Committee presided by committee vice chairperson and Councilor Jocelyn Rodriguez, City DepEd Director Jane Docallos said Aldeguer’s situation was ‘unique’ in that her appointment as public school teacher came when she had yet to be proclaimed as SK chairperson.

Aldeguer replaced Ian King March Pimentel Miyake who was declared overage by the Commission on Elections.

Despite being proclaimed as SK chairperson in Barangay Cugman, Aldeguer didn’t receive any honoraria based on the DILG recommendation following her appointment as a public school teacher.

City Legal Officer Jose Sabanal weighed in, saying it is untenable for Aldeguer to assume both posts even if her appointment preceded her proclamation as SK chairperson of Cugman.

At the start of the committee meeting, Aldeguer cited a DILG opinion and the SK Reform Law as basis for her contention that she didn’t violate any provisions in the Constitution by accepting dual government posts.

For her part, Councilor Rodriguez said the positions explained by the DILG and DepEd as well as the City Legal Office on Aldeguer’s case clearly showed that she cannot serve both government positions.

Rodriguez advised Aldeguer to decide on her next course of action and consult with her family even as she re-scheduled another meeting to deal with her case. (Stephen Capillas for CIO)