STATE auditors have discovered numerous anomalies in the payroll of the Pampanga provincial government, including the hiring of “administrative aides” who were assigned as security personnel at the homes of department heads or as caretakers in farms owned by Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) or Provincial Board members receiving salaries between P11,500 to P22,000 a month.
The 2022 annual audit of the province released last April 25 likewise showed 12 Local Legislative Staff under the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and 13 executive assistants under various offices in the provincial government either lacked training or eligibility, or both.
All 25 were listed at Salary Grade 22 equivalent to at least P66,800 monthly salaries.
Under the law, they were required to have career service (professional) eligibility, with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and at least three years of experience in a similar post. Not one complied.
“All of these employee hold SG 22 positions. Based from the documents submitted, it showed that all of the 25 employees were not qualified for the positions based on minimum requirements,” the audit team said.
One of the 25 was found to have been an “administrative aide I” in his most recent job, which has a designation of salary grade 1. The new position meant a jump of 21 salary grades.
During interview, it was learned that a few had trainings on web-design, cabin crew, and as health workers, none of which were relevant to the position they were hired for.
“The functions of the local legislative officers are very technical in nature which include preparations of committee reports, coordination, preparation and dissemination of information or communication, and conduct of research on matters related to the functions of the committee,” the Commission on Audit pointed out.
Rather than base the hiring on the merits and fitness of applicants, auditors said the province allowed the “padrino system” to have an impact.
The posts served as rewards or payment for services rendered during the election campaign.
“Our interview with 544 sample employees in various offices also showed familiarity with certain elective officials. Some employees responded that they had served as campaign managers and poll watchers during the election, while others are relatives or family members of the appointing officials,” the audit team disclosed.
The COA warned Pampanga provincial officials that nepotism or the appointment of a relative by the recommending authority or the head of an office or a bureau is prohibited under Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987.
