Mayor Estrada not withholding pay of 100 job order workers

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of outgoing Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has condemned allegations that he withheld the salaries of at least 100 job order employees from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) over reports that their former chief “ran off” with his campaign funds.

However, the claims did highlight a common problem for city contractual employees: Delayed salaries.

Bambi Purisima, public information officer, branded the allegations as “rubbing salt into the wound” of Estrada, who was defeated in his reelection bid by his former vice mayor, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

“The man already lost and has remained quiet and yet these accusations are made against him,” said Purisima.

Former MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza resigned in April, or a month before the local elections.

“Even then, the mayor would never have done that. He is not like that,” Purisima said. “He even helps out those who betray him.”

MTPB operations chief Dennis Ibona told the Inquirer that Estrada already approved last week the January to June salaries of 100 employees.

Delayed salaries are not uncommon for Manila’s job-order employees, whose wages are paid every three months.