While serving as temporary local chief executive, acting Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya stressed yesterday he cannot hire or fire employees of the local government.
This is the limitation of his functions while incumbent mayor Monico Puentevella is still abroad for a two-day conference in Singapore, pointed out Gasataya. Aside from the power to hire and fire employees, his authority as acting city mayor is almost the same as that of Puentevella, he said, adding that although he did not receive a memorandum from Puentevella on his appointment as acting mayor effective Sunday, the Local Government Code authorizes him to sit as acting city mayor. This acting capacity function will end upon the return of the mayor on Wednesday. Under the said Code, the vice mayor explained, the authority to hire or fire employees can come in after the 31st day of assumption as acting mayor for the city. It is also automatic that the Sangguniang Panlungsod will also have an acting vice mayor, and this is number one Councilor El Cid Familiaran, Gasataya further explained. He said if Puentevella cannot report immediately on Wednesday in time for the regular session of the City Council, then Familiaran will act as presiding officer. Gasataya also clarified he remains to be with the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Grupo Progreso of incumbent Lone District Rep. Evelio Leonardia, contrary to insinuations he and other councilors had joined the Puentevella camp, because of their support to the current administration. His only focus is to work and deliver what is being expected from him, and he does not indulge in political intramurals between the city’s top elected officials, Gasataya said. He thanked Puentevella, though, for the trust given him by the mayor, particularly on the incumbent local chief executive’s statement that the city, as well as his position, is safe with Gasataya as acting mayor./WDJ By Ranie S. Azue Watchmen Daily Journal
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