Ex-Makati City workers seek Binay suspension after 'illegal' dismissal

Former Makati City government workers sought the suspension of Makati City mayor and vice-presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay after they alleged that they were dismissed "without process." The workers also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to promulgate a resolution for the institution of criminal and administrative proceedings against Binay and city administrator Marjorie de Veyra. “The dismissal of the complainants is most unreasonable, unfair, oppressive and discriminatory as it is not even grounded on just, valid and legal grounds," said lawyer Andrei Bon Tagum, who represents the workers in the case. Tagum said about 138 workers were “unceremoniously" dismissed last February due to their ties with Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, with whom Binay reportedly had a falling out in the past months. The dismissed employees reportedly worked for the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council and the Makati Action Center — both funded by Mercado. “The complainants have suddenly become victims of collateral damage as a result of the political break-up between Mayor Binay and Vice-Mayor Mercado," he said. Both Binay and de Veyra committed “grave misconduct unbecoming of public officials" since the employees are already “regular" workers that cannot be dismissed “without process," Tagum said. Herminia Facundo, one of the former government workers, called on Binay and de Veyra to immediately explain why they were dismissed from their jobs. "We hope Mayor Binay and the City Administrator put this issue to rest and end the cloud of doubt on our employment security. Please understand us. We are not moneyed people like you are," he said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV