Fernandez administration holds pay of ‘midnight’ appointees
THE new city administration in Dagupan has held back payment of the salaries of almost 200 employees in the city government tagged as ‘midnight’ appointees of the past city administration.
City Legal Officer George Mejia confirmed that these employees, although reporting for work, did not receive their salaries on the 15th of the month.
Mejia told newsmen that Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. is still reviewing the appointments of these people since they were reportedly appointed during the last few days in office of his predecessor, Benjamin Lim.
The appointees were employees given permanent appointments by the former mayor just after the election.
It was pointed out, however, that appointments extended by Lim before the election were not affected and were paid their respective salaries.
The PUNCH learned that Lim made two sets of appointments made by Lim, one set was appointed before the start of the campaign period, and another after the lifting of the election ban.
Lim reportedly started filling up all the vacant plantilla positions in the city government just before the start of the campaign period.
He continued to make appointments after the election after losing in his congressional bid against House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. in the fourth district of Pangasinan.
All the appointees first served either as emergency workers or consultants of the past city administration.
Before he stepped down, Lim saw to it that all positions that were left vacant for many years were filled up by his chosen loyalists.–LM
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