Officials of the San Andres municipal government have denied the request of former Mayor Leo Z. Mendoza that 85 job-order workers who were terminated last month be paid their wages amounting to more than P1.2 million.
In a text message to the Tribune, Mayor Gregorio S. Salvador disclosed that during the June 9, 2025 meeting with department heads, the LGU would reply to the letter-request of the former mayor to the effect that such would not be granted due to lack of funds and the fact that the job order contracts for the terminated workers were not yet perfected.
Last June 5, Mendoza wrote to Mayor Salvador regarding job order employees who were hired under the former’s administration starting January this year until June 30, 2025.
The lawyer said he had learned that Salvador, who replaced Mendoza after the Ombudsman ordered him dismissed from the office shortly before the May 12, 2025 national and local elections, had opted to terminate their employment.
Mendoza claimed that the 85 JO workers had already rendered their services to the local government unit in various capacities from April 1 to May 15, 2025 and that their termination deprived them of their wages for the period to their injury and prejudice.
“I strongly request the restoration of their job orders and respect for the contract with them especially that which have been served and rendered already and allowing them to be fully and fairly compensated what is due them in full compliance with the provisions of Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2017, of the CSC, COA and DBM, June 15, 2017,” the former chief executive stated.
He alleged that he, as well as the local finance committee, knows that before he stepped down as mayor, sufficient savings were identified and ascertained amounting to more than P8 million originally intended for the fountain and rotating globe at the Freedom Park and for the wages of job order employees.
Mendoza attached a list of the affected job order workers, including 13 individuals who were supposed to receive wages of more than P20,000 for the said period before they were allegedly terminated by Mayor Salvador.
Among them were a legal consultant, Albay-based Atty. Peter Leo M. Ralla (P860 per day); Architect Liway S. Degsi (P810 per day); and sculptor Severiano Pamplona (P810 per day).
Also among the 13 were four drivers who were paid between P620 to P635 per day, four security personnel who received P550 to P620 daily, and one individual whose job description was not indicated but earned P550 per day.
The list likewise included a chief of staff, two sculptor helpers, a consultant-cum-Metro Manila liaison officer, a consultant on international and national issues, and two individuals supposedly handling affairs of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Vice Mayors League (VML) and Philippine Councilors League (PCL).
The majority consisted of utility workers, administrative aides, office aides, street sweepers, traffic enforcers, and workers assigned to the Agojo fish sanctuary, who were paid P405 per day.