Court orders TRO against mayor on payment of casuals

A DANAO City court yesterday ordered Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. and two officials to process the salaries and benefits of 238 casual workers in Danao City Hall.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Sylvia Aguirre-Paderanga of Branch 25 issued the 20-day temporary restraining order against Durano, budget officer Teresita Almacen, and human resources officer Galacito Camaongay.

They were ordered to desist from enforcing a memorandum issued by Durano to suspend the processing of payments to the 238 casual workers. But Mayor Boy vowed not to heed the court order.

“We will counter the order. My lawyer will take care of that. I won’t give them (casual workers) their salaries,” he told reporters at the Governor’s Office. The workers have yet to be paid since May 2012.

They filed a petition for mandamus and sought the issuance of a TRO, injunction, and damages.

They accused the mayor and the two officials of not complying with provisions of a city ordinance regarding salaries, wages, and benefits.

The casual employees claimed that their payrolls were submitted to Almacen who allegedly refused to act on it.

The mayor, they said, issued a memorandum not to process thir payrolls.

Mayor Boy earlier filed a petition for declaratory relief against his brother Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and the City Council for inserting 250 casual employees in the proposed budget for 2012.

The mayor sought a TRO from the court to stop the council from processing the release of P43 million for the casual employees.

Mayor Boy’s lawyer Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu said the “insertions” are “unlawful.”

She said the 238 casual workers were not included in the proposed budget for 2012 since their “services have ended.”

Mayor Boy yesterday met with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to request for three multi-cabs for his captains, which the governor agreed to provide. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol