Governor orders return of 60 dismissed workers

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Gov. Ruth Padilla has ordered the return of more than 60 permanent employees, who were among the 180 workers she illegally demoted and dismissed on her first day in office in July 2013.

Padilla said she reached the decision after “collegially ascertaining all necessary issues, financial or otherwise,” apparently referring to consultations with the province’s legal team, finance officers and other top officials.

The order, she said, was in accordance with civil service rules which state that cases decided by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) en banc shall be executory, even if a petition for review is pending in the Court of Appeals (CA).

In its decision, the CSC affirmed the validity of appointment of 162 of 180 regular employees who were forced out of their jobs by Padilla’s executive order, and ordered that they be reinstated and be paid their back salaries and other benefits.

Graft charges

The return to work order came on the heels of graft and indirect charges filed by a group of employees against Padilla when she did not implement the September 2014 CSC ruling despite her failure to obtain the temporary restraining order from the CA.

The employees welcomed Padilla’s order, saying they were excited to return to work following a 22-month layoff.

“We sincerely thank those who have supported us, and those who believed in our fight. The lesson to be learned from this is that those who stand by their principles and fight for their rights in the proper way will reap the blessings of their toil, no matter how difficult,” said Chona Estrada, an administrative aide.

Bittersweet

It was bittersweet for the employees, however, as the appointments of 18 others were earlier invalidated by the commission, having been issued after the May 13 elections. They elevated their case to the CA.

A few others may no longer benefit from the victory as some concerned employees have either resigned, retired or have sought other jobs.

In its decision, the CSC said Padilla “overstepped the bounds of her authority” when she ordered the “recall, revocation and withdrawal” of the appointments of 180 permanent employees for their supposed failure to conform with the law. Inquirer Northern Luzon