Probe up as support increases for Info Office chief
Two committees of the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) will lead the investigation on the reported abolition of at least four Capitol offices.
Taking off from the complaint of Marilou Sumbing, beleaguered chief of the Information Office, the SP Committees on Justice and Good Government and General Services and Human Resources will study, validate and come up with a corresponding recommendation.
Asked for comment, First District Board Member Macario Napulan expressed his wonder to The News Today (TNT),
"Correct me if I am wrong but it is my understanding that any movement, creation more so abolition of any offices in the Iloilo Provincial Government needs our approval and recommendation. So how can anybody do it on his own?," Napulan asked.
Sumbing in a letter to the 9th SP submitted her official objection on the seeming fate of her post and office. Controversial aide of Governor Niel Tupas "Provincial Administator" Manuel Mejorada is reportedly bent on abolishing the Information Office, the Management Information System (MIS), the Community Affairs Office and the Provincial Tourism Office.
"Is it legal to take away the budget of an office such as PIO section and be absorbed by another office such as Provincial Administrator's Office?," Sumbing's query went. "Is it legal to transfer our unit to the Provincial Administrator's Office since we already exist as a unit under the Office of the Governor?"
More questions still as Sumbing asked, "Is it legal to transfer me to PENRO even if I have stressed that I am not an environment officer and is wanting of technical expertise but an Information Officer from the start of my appointment in government service for 26 years now?"
Meantime, longtime Capitol employees have openly expressed support on the plight of Sumbing. Present in Tuesday's session, Sumbing was seen in the company of other uniformed Capitol personnel. A number of employees similarly told TNT of pro-Sumbing sentiments particularly since she has long served the Capitol.
"What is the connection of her having children that in their context is "too many" to how she is delivering her services for the province?," one asked. "It is not right at all for her to be judged by it."
One of the matters Sumbing told the SP body in her letter was the purported comment cum statement of Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan. She was reportedly told that for having "too many" children and for brining her 3-year old son to work, she will never be promoted.