Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have denied knowing one “Lady Gaga” who reportedly exercises influence at the Catanduanes District Engineering Office.
In a privilege speech at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week, Provincial Board Member Edwin T. Tanael referred to a “powerful woman” dubbed as “Lady Gaga” who allegedly gives instructions even stronger and longer than Congressman Eulogio R. Rodriguez himself.
“What is her role inside the DPWH and why is she allowed to exercise such influence?” the veteran legislator asked as he sought the presence of the OIC-district engineer and key officials to shed light on the sudden termination of 51 casual employees and several permanent engineers placed on floating status.
Hinting at a conspiracy between the sitting congressman and the district engineer, Tanael said the terminated job-order employees had been serving the DPWH district office for as long as 22 years and were let go without clear justification despite the fact that they relied solely on their meager wages to support their families.
On the other hand, he claimed, the “floating” engineers continue to report for duty at their new offices but are not given assignments allegedly because they did not follow the instructions of the DE and the solon.
The PBM also called on the OIC-DE to render a comprehensive report on the status of all DPWH projects in Catanduanes, especially school buildings and flood control projects.
Last Thursday, Sept. 18, the Committee on Infrastructure and the Committee on Justice met jointly to discuss the issue in the presence of OIC-DE Vivian Biaco, several section chiefs and the terminated and reassigned employees.
OIC Biaco told the SP members present – PBM Tanael, PBM Arnel Turado, PBM Giovanni Balmadrid, PBM Jose Romeo Francisco, PBM Rafael Zuniega and PBM Josevan Balidoy – that she was not aware of the matter as she had just assumed office following her appointment to the post by then Sec. Manuel Bonoan.
One of the affected permanent employees, Engineer II Gabriel Samonte, disclosed that he was the assistant chief at the Construction Section before he was moved to the Quality Assurance Unit after the May 12, 2025 elections.
He said that then DE Simon Arias called him to the latter’s office and was told that he would be reassigned to the QAU, to which he reluctantly agreed as long as he was not removed from employment.
“Anong ilalagay namin sa Individual Performance Commitment and Review (IPCR), wala naman kaming assigned projects? Wala kaming ginagawa. Anong ilalagay namin sa accomplishment?” Samonte pointed out as the group sought their return to their original offices.
OIC-DE Biaco, however, contended that as a project engineer, Samonte is supposed to know everything, including those related to materials.
Engr. Renato Valeza, Materials Engineer II at QAU but reassigned to the office of the Assistant District Engineer, said that even if one is a civil engineer, he or she must pass a written exam before taking a practical exam.
He claimed that while the office memorandum directed him to assist the Assistant DE in inspection of projects, he was not given any assigned projects.
Another project engineer reassigned to the QAU, Engineer II Lowie Jay Tonio told the joint committees that he took the assignment positively, taking the materials engineer exam and passing it, and is now awaiting the practical exam this November.
He said that since he was moved to the QAU, he has not been given any assignment.
Pressed on the issue, OIC-DE Biaco said she would study it first before taking action, noting that Valeza was reassigned in the interest of the service to handle a different type of work and assist in the inspection of various projects.
Likewise, she claimed that permission from higher officials in the central and regional offices is needed before submitting copies of the reassignment orders to the SP.
One of the terminated casual employees, former QAU driver Owen Fajatin, claimed that last July 1, he was called to the Human Resource office where he was told that he was included in the list of those to be terminated.
“Sabi po ni Leah Sarmiento, tinawagan daw po siya ni Ma’am kung sino daw si Owen Fajatin kasi may ginawa daw pong kasalanan,” he alleged. “Sabi din po ni DE Arias, wala daw siyang magagawa, masyadong maimpluwensiya itong mag-asawa.”
Upon questioning by PBM Tanael, Sarmiento said no Contract of Service was prepared for Fajatin as he was not in the list submitted by the DE.
“Hindi ko po alam,” she replied when asked if she knew “Lady Gaga” or “Sandara.”
“Sa pagkakaalam ko po, si Ma’am Merly at Cong Leo ang naglagay sa listahan na tanggalin kami,” Fajatin declared, adding that the request for contracts for JOs signed by the former QAU chief was not approved by the DE because the four casuals up for termination were in the list.
“Sa ngayon, ang reason behind hindi ko alam, five days pa lang ako sa office,” OIC-DE Biaco stated. “Hindi ang congressman o ang asawa niya kundi ang mga section chiefs ang nagre-recommend sa mga JO.”
Another axed worker who worked for 12 straight years at the Maintenance Section admitted that he spoke up against the current administration when he heard that a recently hired employee was being backed by the congressman for a vacant permanent position.
“Nagsasabi lang ako kung anong dapat,” he said, narrating that the 20 affected workers were called to a meeting by the section chief and his assistant.
“Mag-isip na daw kami kung sino ang nakabangga naming tao ni Cong,” he stated. “Ang congressman ang nakikialam sa pagpasok ng tao diyan sa DPWH.”
Two of those terminated were engineers who had been with the district for five years before they were removed in October 2024.
They said they sought advice from DE Arias who told them to approach the congressman.
“Nagpunta kami sa Batalay, nakahuron mi su guard, wala daa. Naghalat kami hanggang ala una. Dai kami sinipot kaya nagparibod kami,” they recalled.
After a few days, the two engineers were called to the office of DE Arias, who told them that their contracts would not be renewed.
On the issue of the terminated JOs, the DPWH human resource officer denied that someone ordered her to remove them.
Sarmiento said she depended on the signed list submitted by the section chiefs and approved by the DE and that she did not know “Sandara” or “Lady Gaga.”