This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Cotabato Mayor Bruce Matabalao and his rival, Vice Mayor Butch Abu, point fingers at each other
COTABATO, Philippines – Thousands of local government contractual workers in Cotabato City are facing uncertainties as the local government struggles with a budget crisis amid political tension between the local executive and legislative branches.
Cotabato Mayor Bruce Matabalao said the services of about 3,000 contractual local government employees will be terminated from their positions starting Thursday, October 17.
“The city government is not yet bankrupt, just to clarify. My department heads and I have decided to terminate the contracts for the meantime. We cannot afford for them to work without a salary,” Matabalao told a news conference on Wednesday, October 16.
Matabalao attributed the problem to the city council’s non-approval of an additional budget to cover the salaries of contractual employees and give regular city hall employees a raise.
Without the additional funds, the city government could no longer sustain its current workforce, he said.
Cotabato Vice Mayor Joharie “Butch” Abu, however, said city hall’s funds have been mismanaged, which is the “root cause” of the problem.
Abu said the city council already approved a substantial budget for contractual employees’ salaries, but these were depleted halfway through the year.
Abu said the city council approved a budget of P1.58 billion, or P131.6 million per month, for city hall for this year. Out of this, he said, P75 million was intended for the salaries.
“However, this fund was exhausted in the middle of the year, and the mayor’s office and the local finance committee have failed to provide an explanation,” said Abu as he called for transparency and accountability.
Abu said the city council repeatedly asked Matabalao’s office for a detailed accounting of city hall’s expenses and a list of contractual employees, but none was made.
“Why is the [city council] being denied access to it? Is there something we are not supposed to see?” Abu asked.
Meanwhile, 17 city hall department heads and office heads issued a joint statement, expressing support for Matabalao and rejecting allegations of his interference in their duties. They denied that Matabalao has prevented them from cooperating with the city council.
“In fact, the mayor issued an office order on September 23, 2024, encouraging us to provide necessary support, input, and assistance in legislative matters. We are one with the city mayor on this matter and have consistently upheld our obligations, respecting our limitations and adhering strictly to the rule of law,” read part of their joint statement.
Matabalao has filed his certificate of candidacy in his bid for reelection in 2025. Abu and ex-mayor Cynthia Guiani are challenging Matabalao’s bid for a second office term.
Matabalao is the bet of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s party, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) and the administration Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Abu filed his COC under Lakas-CMD-SIAP alliance, while Guiani is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). – Rappler.com
