Misamis oriental provincial board member Frederick Khu takes time to read Mindanao Gold Star Daily while waiting for last Monday’s weekly session to start. Photo by Joey P. Nacalaban
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By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
and JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondents .

IT turned out that the number of casual and “job order” workers under the Sangguniang Panlalawigan pale in comparison to what the provincial executive department has.

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Of the capitol’s 346 casual employees, only 56 are with the provincial board. The provincial board also has 352 of the capitol’s 1,507 “job order” work force.

Information from the capitol’s Human Resource Management Office showed that the capitol’s executive offices have contracted the services of 290 casual employees and 1,155 “job order” workers.

The information comes in the wake of allegations made by provincial board member Frederick Khu that he was ready to present a list of  “job order” workers as evidence of “ghost employees” in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Khu said he wants to examine the “job order”workers’ payroll.

“Daghan pamaagi sa pagpatay sa manok,” Khu said.

Provincial board member Wayne Militante said the Commission on Audit is now looking into the documents pertaining to “job order”workers in the provincial board.

The “JOs” were directed to bring their identification cards and other documents for verification on or before July 13, he said.

Militante called it a “good move” so that the truth would be known.

But Militante said he is convinced that there are no ghost employees in the provincial board as alleged by Khu.

“Ako motoo gyud ko nga walay ghost employee kay sa pagkakaron, dili naman ka makapasulod og trabahante kung walay Philhealth number ug tax identification number,” said Militante.

Provincial board member Gerardo Sabal also welcomed COA’s move, saying it would eventually shed light on the matter raised by Khu.

Sabal said the allegation was not supported by facts and was a result of political “grandstanding.”

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez said his order for all the “job order”workers under the provincial board to submit themselves to the COA for verification and validation purposes would erase suspicions of “ghost employees.”

Pelaez also asked provincial board members to ensure the compliance of the “job order” workers to the directive.

The vice governor is reportedly entitled to have at least 100 “job order” workers under him while provincial board members have been allocated 10 slots each.

Pelaez said Khu should face the provincial board and face evidence.

“Duha na ka session nga wala madayon kay wala siya (Khu) pirmi. Unta naa siya para iyang mapakita iyang proyba nga naa gyud ning giingon nga ‘ghosts,’” Pelaez said.

The Sanggunian majority earlier issued a statement in response to Khu’s allegation. It reads: “We, the Majority Members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, categorically state that there can be no ghost employees in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan because of the tedious government processes and stringent requirements prospective employees had to undergo and submit, which are being implemented by appropriate government agencies, before being engaged by the provincial government of Misamis Oriental.”

The officials called Khu’s allegation “malicious, misplaced, and disparages the integrity” of the provincial legislature as an institution.

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