CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Mayor Oscar Rodriguez disclosed on Wednesday that “only” a Supreme Court (SC) decision will let him accept the return of the dismissed assessor’s office chief to his former post at the city hall.
In an interview, Rodriguez stressed that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) resolution denying the motion for reconsideration they filed “is not final and executory.” The CSC ordered the reinstatement of Joey De Leon as chief of the city assessor’s office.
Rodriguez said they already elevated the case before the Court of Appeals (CA).
“Under the circumstances, we both have our respective rights and must do what we can given the situation,” said Rodriguez. “I also respect the rule of law.”
The mayor also said they could not accept the reinstatement of De Leon because he was “terminated.”
He made this statement to answer the claims of De Leon that the CSC’s uniform rules on administrative cases should be followed by the incumbent mayor.
Rodriguez said he has “nothing personal” against De Leon. “De Leon and his group are our friends,” Rodriguez said.
“It’s just that there was a case against him. He did not want to give the keys,” said Rodriguez, referring to the alleged refusal of De Leon to turn over the “keys” to City Administrator Fer Caylao to open the computer database and record on land assessment.
Rodriguez also said “all is well at the city hall and the assessor’s office is operating properly.”
“The assessor’s office is headed by an officer-in-charge, Fer Limbitco,” he said.
