TOP political allies of suspended Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella raised on Thursday questions on the actions of Acting Mayor Greg Gasataya and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran pertaining to their respective positions. Former vice mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, MKK Partido Bacolod candidate for congressman, criticized the move of Gasataya of terminating the 10 executive assistants of Puentevella. Sayson, who will face off with Gasataya in the congressional race in next year’s elections, faced the media with his partymates Vladimir Gonzalez, who is running for vice mayor against Familiaran, and Councilor Homer Bais in a press conference held at the Negros Press Club building yesterday. He said the appointments of the 10 executive assistants, including the mayor’s son Rocky Puentevella, are considered co-terminus with the elected mayor and therefore, they should not be terminated. “They can only be terminated with cause. You could re-appoint them to other positions but not terminate them. I maintain that any replacement made in the personnel who was appointed by the elected mayor should be done with cause," Sayson added. On Tuesday, Gasataya terminated the services of Puentevella, Roger Dillano, Andre Victor Las Piñas, Lope Ledesma, Joemarie Biasca, Rufino Alcala, Elmo Olivar, Rodolfo Salga Sr., Agnes Lira Jundos, and Reynaldo Ebreo. Ebreo had earlier said that he will file a case against Gasataya for illegal dismissal or abuse of authority. He said that he may file the case either today or tomorrow once his affidavit is finalized by his lawyer. Gasataya, who took over as acting city mayor on November 16, terminated Ebreo after assessments showed the latter’s position is primarily confidential and requires his full trust and confidence. He explained that the termination does not question their competence, but he just wants to work with people whom he has trust and confidence, and those he can work with comfortably. Meanwhile, Gonzalez also questioned Familiaran for being an awardee of the city-owned Manokan Country Stall No. 023, which he was able to obtain on 50 percent discount. He said that Familiaran should have divested his interest at “Manokan” because he is now the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. This would only put him in a compromising situation because of his personal interest on the property, Gonzalez said. Puentevella is proposing to dispose the “Manokan” property, and the City Council has conducted hearings before it decides whether to approve the proposal. Gonzalez admitted that he was among those who recommended to the mayor to dispose the land occupied by “Manokan.” Familiaran became an awardee on March 23, 2007 when Atty. Lorendo Dilag was the city administrator and Rep. Evelio Leonardia was still the mayor. Familiaran operates Nicolo's Resto Grill and regularly pays a monthly rental of P1, 227.71. Other awardees have arrearages close to P500,000. There are 26 stall awardees at Manokan Country and only four awardees including, Familiaran, have mayor's permit. Gonzalez also questioned why only Familiaran got the stall at P50,000 which is 50 percent lower than the bid price that most awardees posted. "If it has happened to me, I would have divested my interest to avoid being biased on the matter," he added. Sun Star Bacolod by Carla N. Canet
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