Last February 4, 2010, we received a report that the Commission on Audit (COA) conducted an audit at the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) of Catherine Tingson. No disbursement whatsoever for the whole day. Thank God, COA interfered on time probably knowing that if there is smoke there is fire!

As told, Mrs. Luz Leonora, cash division chief, is suspect as one of the responsible people in the delay of the casual employees’ salary. It is said that before paying them, the money is first used for the business of the bosses up there at the mall. This is what the earlier claim hinted at.

On how true, the lady has yet to say. But it creates a suspicion that was a deliberate delay to compel the casuals to sell their pending receivables to stooges of city officials who are ready to buy it under the condition of a certain percentage deduction. It is really true, vultures breed during crisis.

A P50 slashed from the salary of a casual could already be a meager meal for his poor family. If one-half of the 3,000 casual employees are forced to sell their salaries due to the urgent need for money, it is a P75,000 income every fifteen days for crooks at the mall. This injustice en masse’ is a crime that cries to God for punishment!

Lowly city mall (as we have no City Hall yet) employees are most sorely tempted to steal but don’t. Yet, we have officials who are like vampires preying on the blood of the poor casual workers. What is somewhat missing in the empty lives of these people is to die with dignity!

Department heads were also infected by the rampant graft and corrupt practices at the mall. They are now emboldened to pounce on city government coffers for every chance they get. Worse, their ways of stealing depict them like passengers catching the last plane out!

These Capone of the time always demand compensation for what they never lost. They have that Midas touch but in reverse, that every transaction they touched turn not into gold but smack for the administration of their boss.

But that is not only what we are looking for. Just look. The salaries of casuals from January 1 to 15 is yet to be paid this February. The next payroll for January 15 to 31 is yet to be heard as the money is believe to be circulating out there to generate profits for the crooks before it returns to the cashier. Their collusion speaks of doli capax – capability of committing a crime!

This is not what we think the business of the CTO is all about. Perhaps COA have learned a lot of the mess they’re in. So, when the City Treasurer sneezes, every department head catches flu as they know ex uno disce omnes – from one COA may learn all.

Funny indeed. Upon learning of COA’s invasion of the CTO, top officials of some departments panicked and immediately prepare to fly to Hong Kong the following day. Nervousness is sign of guilt and perhaps they fear that COA may also learn about their stupidity!

The budget for casuals salaries is only up to June this year. There will be no more money for the next city mayor to hire casuals under his administration. The poor casuals who were forced to campaign for the mayor in exchange for job continuity will soon find themselves abandoned by him in poverty.

If the mayor wins, the casuals are no longer his concern. He will always be out there far away from them. If he lost, the more they will not see him as he may confine himself in isolation until he let go of the agony of defeat and shame!

Election is still three months to go. It doesn’t matter on who wins or loses the battle. The important thing is for the family to have their three meals everyday. The mayor should see to it that salaries of casual employees are paid on time without any condition.

Casual workers have no security of tenure. What is important to these people is to be paid on time of their corresponding days of work. The city has a policy of no work, no pay and neglect of the mayor to attend to this delayed salary problem, endangers the casuals to become his last casualty.

The mayor has plenty of leeway to circumvent the law and enforce what he wants to all department heads. But don’t make the family of these casual employees hungry and someday they will run amuck!

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