City HRMO chief suspended

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Iloilo Regional Trial Court (RTC) handed down a 90-day suspension against the chief of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) of the Iloilo City Hall for “negligence.”

Judge Cedrick Ruiz of RTC Branch 39 ordered the suspension of Thelma Golez after she failed to process the promotion of City Health Administrative Officer Barbara Hortillo.

Golez’s suspension took effect last October 3, 2005. She failed to post her appeal during the 15 days grace period allowed by law. Her suspension was channeled to City Administrator Melchor Tan.  Golez is replaced by her assistant Ofelia Rodriguez.

Golez allegedly forgot to process Hortillo’s promotion papers after one of her siblings died. At the time of the promotion period, Golez was reportedly having problems with her family, the same reason she forgot to process Hortillo’s papers. Her argument was not honored by the court though. Aside from the criminal case, Golez is also facing charges before the Ombudsman for the same case.

It was learned that Mayor Jerry Treñas tried to intervene on the matter but nothing came up after several meetings. Hortillo decided to bring the case before the court and got a victory. City Hall employees were surprised when the order was implemented last Friday, October 7.