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[av_heading heading=’JOE LOOKING FOR ‘EXPERT’ AIDES But how much will mayor’s assistants cost taxpayers? ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, November 10, 2017
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ILOILO City – How many executive assistants does Mayor Jose Espinosa III need? How much will taxpayers spend for them?
According to Espinosa, he will hire executive assistants but only those with expertise in fields where he may need their learned counsel.
The former city mayor, Jed Patrick Mabilog, had not been forthright with his number of executive assistants. Only after his dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman did the public know who they were – except for a few who were visible at city hall and actively working – and their monthly compensation that ranged from P15,000 to P52,000.
Aside from some of Mabilog’s executive assistants that may be reappointed, Espinosa said he may pick his own “special assistants.”
“For instance, I need a special assistant on Commission on Audit (COA) matters. A private COA gid ‘ya nga magatan-aw kag magabulig sa Office of the Mayor para whatever actions ma-conform man sa COA rules,” Espinosa explained.
A retired COA head would do for the post, he said.
Espinosa is also considering getting a “special assistant” on information technology and a legal counsel solely detailed at the Office of the Mayor and distinct from the City Legal Office, and an assistant for political matters.
“Although abogado man kita, indi buot silingon nga may monopoly of intelligence kita about laws. I need to confer with a lawyer also para mag-decision kita at least naka-consult kita sa lawyer,” said Espinosa.
Last week, Espinosa reappointed City Administrator Hernando Galvez and City Legal Office chief Atty. Lorna Laurea, as well as two executive assistants of Mabilog – Melchor Tan (for infrastructure) and Perla Zulueta (for finance).
Early this week, he also reappointed Mabilog’s executive assistant for mental health, Guillemo Dela Llana, former vice mayor.
The Mabilog administration had been criticized for hiring executive assistants for various concerns that could also be addressed concerned city hall departments or offices such as the city health office, engineer’s office, tourism office, and social welfare office, among others.
Mabilog’s executive assistants and their montly compensations were:
* Victor Facultad (building administrator), Perla Zulueta (appropriation and finance), Romeo Paloma (infrastructure), Jay Victor Mabilog (health/medical), Lyndon Acap, (infrastructure and health) – P52,000 monthly
* Dominador Co (tourism), Mitch Antiqueña (traffic) – P43,000 monthly
* Elpidio Lozada Jr. (detailed at office of the congressman), Norma Jimenea (social welfare), Irene Ong (health), Melchor Tan (infrastructure) – P32,000 monthly
* Rodel Fullon (business and tourism promotion), Felix Muchada (security) – P25,000 monthly
* Hector Alejano (social affairs), Guillemo Dela Llana (mental health) – P16,000 monthly
* Boyet Rico (barangay affairs) – P15,000 monthly
Espinosa created a Special Selection and Evaluation Team (SSET) to evaluate Mabilog’s executive assistants and help him decide who among them deserve to be reappointed.
“Simple man lang ang criteria sa aton mga co-terminus (employees), una trust and confidence sang aton appointing authority,” said Sports Development Officer III Rommel Castro, a member of SSET.
The other, he said, is experience.
The executive assistant should have shown to be an asset to the city government and “not a baggage sa function sang mayor,” said Castro./PN
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