Capitol employees’ union head ‘ousted’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The chairman of the employees’ union of the provincial government here was ousted from his post amid the escalating tiff with a top executive of the province.

Rene Lastierre, head of the Security Services Division (SSD), was stripped of his position as chairman of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) Friday.

In a special meeting Friday, 9 out of the 11 members of the board of directors of PACE declared all the positions – from chairman down to sergeant at arms – vacant.

Ruben Diamante was appointed by the majority of the board of directors as chairman in lieu of Lastierre.

Diamante told reporters that the majority of the board of directors have lost their trust and confidence in Lastierre.

But he denied that the move was a ” coup d’état ” against Lastierre.

He cited Article 9 Section 4-5 of their Constitution where the board of directors can call for a special meeting.

Diamante said Lastierre himself called for a meeting of the board but no one reportedly showed up.

“That showed we don’t have trust and confidence in him anymore,” Diamante.

He also said that their move has nothing to do with the tiff between Lastierre and provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.

Lastierre and Diaz are said to be close associates before but the relationship has gone sour after the bullet controversy which prompted a verbal tussle between the two.

Lastierre on his part said that there were indeed attempts to oust him, but in a previous meeting, he said he told the board of directors that what is happening between him and Diaz should be dealt with separately.

Lastierre also revealed Friday that watchmen who were supposed to be under him were recalled from their assignment without passing through him.

When he came to know of the “coup d’ etat,” Lastierre said in a statement on his Facebook page that “treacherous attitude prevails,” pertaining to how the special meeting was conducted.

“Your notice of the special meeting was scheduled at the PACE Office at 10 am today. We have waited but you singly and secretly called the Board of Directors present at PACE Office for another venue. I could have respected your decision but your process is treacherous. Ara na dapat mabal-an sang mga empleyado sang Capitolyo ang klase sang Union ta subong,” he said.

He also claimed that the process undertaken by his peers in the union was devoid of justice and fair play.