‘HELP US, MR. PRESIDENT’: Mayor’s accuser appears in ‘8888 Digong Hotline’ show

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

ROSITA Camacho, the regular Iloilo City Hall employee who sued Mayor Jerry Treñas and four other officials for forcing her to go on leave, sought the help of President Rodrigo Duterte via the “Digong 8888 Hotline” TV show.

Camacho appeared on the show aired over government-run PTV station on Thursday where she was interviewed by Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

During the interview, Camacho told Panelo that she was harassed by Treñas by forcing her to go on leave for 122 days.

“Right after po nanalo siya, sinabi niya na lahat ng tao na tumulong sa dating mayor kakasuhan niya so kaya nga sinabi niya sa amin kailangan magleave kung hindi, kakasuhan kami. Pinatawag kami ng City Adminsitrator na mag-leave ng 6 months para sa peace of mind niya. At sa sobrang takot – kasi sinabihan may consequences, ready na yung pera, at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at mga abogado para sa kaso – nag-leave ako,” Camacho explained. 

Camacho is identified as a supporter of former mayor Jose Espinosa III who lost to Treñas in the recent mayoralty elections.

When asked by Panelo if she helped the previous mayor she answered, “During election period, kung sino yung mayor na nakaupo, siya yung boss namin kasi employee po kami ng City Hall.”

Camacho sued Treñas and four other officials – City Administrator Melchor Tan, Assistant Iloilo City Administrator Noel Panaguiton, Assistant Department Head II Josephine Agudo, and Leo Elevencione, City Human Resource Management Officer – for criminal and administrative charges with a prayer for their preventive suspension.

Last October 2, 2019, Camacho sent a letter-complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman in Cebu City accusing Treñas and company of allegedly conspiring, confederating, and aiding one another in the commission of grave coercion and violations of Section 3 (e) and (a) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for grave misconduct, oppression, and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In her affidavit, Camacho claimed that she was forced to file for a leave out of “grave threats, intimidation, and fear” of Tan and Treñas. She went on leave from July 11 to July 31, 2019 and from August 19-30, 2019 (with no leave credits).

She alleged that she was also forced to file an application for leave from September 1 to December 31, 2019, or a period of 122 days without pay. The paper was prepared, signed, and approved by Agudo, Elevencione, and Treñas.

Camacho also told Panelo during the interview that several employees also suffered the same fate in the City Hall.

“Madami kasi kami, hindi lang ako kaso ako lang yung nakarating dito,” she said.

Camacho could not hold back her tears when she was asked by Panelo to appeal to President at the last part of the program.

“Sana po matulungan kami nang Pesidente, na kung may kasalanan kami sa kanya, ilaban niya ng patas. Mahal na Presidente, kasi ako ordinaryong empleyado lang ako, natatakot kasi ako sa buhay ko kung anong mangyari sa akin kasi ikaw nga eh hinamon ka noon niya ng suntukan ano pa kaya ang nangyari sa akin kung ganito na ang nangyari,” an emotional Camacho, said.

Meanwhile, Panelo advised Camacho and all the other aggrieved employees to write him a letter regarding their complaints.

“Ganito ang gawin natin. Sulatan mo ko kaugnay doon sa kinikwento para ma-i-refer ko kay Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año o sa Ombudsman at saka siguro para masulatan ko rin siya o kaya matawagan. Kailangan ko kasi ng basis bago ako makagalaw,” he said.

Panelo also assured Camacho that the President will not tolerate such actions of local chief executives.

“Huwag kang mag-alala at kay Presidente hindi maari yung ganoong ginagawa ng mga alkade natin

Ang mga alkade at lahat ng mga manunungkulan ng bayan ay dapat naninilbihan sa taong bayan. Asahan mong aaksyunan natin at iimbestigahan natin yan sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Treñas said he was surprised with the statements of Camacho, emphasizing that he was not able to meet her since election.

“Waay ko na siya gani maistorya, I have not met her since election. I am very surprised sang iya ginapanghambal. Waay ko ya kabalo kon ano gusto nga away kay ako wala man ko ga-away sa iya,” he said.

The mayor added that Camacho is facing an electioneering case that is currently being investigated by the City Legal Office.

Treñas assured that he is ready to face Camacho and all her complaints.

When asked about his reaction on the interview, he said, “Well some people are born actors. Pwede na siya pang FAMAs.”