BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Supreme Court has denied the motion for reconsideration of close to 200 employees of the provincial government who were appointed and promoted in the wake of the 2013 elections.
The employees, who sought casual and permanent positions including promotions, were approved before the end of the incumbency of then-Governor Luisa Cuaresma in 2013.
The High Court’s Third Division issued its notice, denying the workers’ motions with finality “as no substantial arguments were raised to warrant their reconsideration.”
The resolution and notice dated July 17, 2017 was signed by Michael Domingo Battung III, SC Third Division’s Deputy Division Clerk of Court.
The case stemmed from the issuance of appointments of the provincial government for new and existing employees from January to June in 2013.
Former governor Ruth Padilla, who won in the 2013 elections, questioned the legality of Cuaresma’s “midnight” appointments.
Padilla issued Executive Order No. 3 to nullify the appointments, saying the Provincial Selection and Promotions Board was not legally constituted, the provincial government had insufficient funds for the salaries of the newly appointment workers, and their appointments “are not yet necessary.”
Hurt by the EO, the affected workers filed a case before the provincial Civil Service Commission office and won. The Padilla government in turn elevated the case to the CSC Central Office, but was denied just the same.
The case was then brought to the Court of Appeals, which issued a decision in favor of the provincial government.
The affected workers filed the case before the SC, but received the same denial in favor of the provincial government.
“This is a final vindication for me, for what we were only doing during my term as governor was the correct way in lieu of the illegal processes being done,” Padilla said.
Incumbent Governor Carlos Padilla, Ruth’s husband, said they would try to work out a “win-win” solution with the affected provincial employees.