Arroyo’s gardener, manicurist land gov’t posts

Arroyo’s gardener, manicurist land gov’t posts
abs-cbnNEWS.com
as of 04/21/2010 4:51 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang spokesman confirmed Wednesday that President Arroyo's personal manicurist and gardener have been given jobs in the Pag-IBIG Housing Fund and Luneta Park administration.
Responding to a report by Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said it is the President's prerogative to appoint whomever she chooses for appointive government posts.
"Both people mentioned in Jarius [Bondoc]’s column are regular members of Malacañang’s staff. They do have regular government appointments and items. I’ve been advised that what prompted the President to give or to consider giving them this kind of appointment is her interest in having ordinary people represented in government offices and agencies whose activities impinge on the lives of ordinary people," Olivar told ANC's "Dateline Philippines.
He added: "Mabuti na may kumakatawan sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan sa mga ahensiya katulad ng Pag-IBIG na ang ginagawa po nila ay nakabalot sa araw-araw na pamumuhay ng mga kababayan natin."
He also rejected the report that the two are unqualified for their new posts. "Hindi sapat na ma-disqualify sila dahil mababa ang katungkulan nila," he said.
According to Bondoc's column, Arroyo's manicurist, Anita Capron, will receive P130,000 a month in per diem, plus perks, for a fixed two-year term as Pag-IBIG trustee.
On the other hand, gardener Armando Macapagal was appointed deputy of the Luneta Park Administration.
Bondoc cited an insider among Malacañang's housekeeping staff who expressed doubts about the two appointees' credentials.
"Macapagal supposedly landscapes Malacañang lawns but does not manage people. Carpon is not known for financial expertise to oversee multibillion-peso housing mutual fund of all employees. Nicknamed Nitz, she is often scolded by Arroyo for mismatching presidential handbags and shoes," the column read.
Olivar, meanwhile, denied that the Malacañang gardener was appointed to an administrative post because he could be related to the President. He said Mrs. Arroyo's own daughter, Luli, disqualified herself from entering foreign service despite topping government exams.
"The President is the last person we can accuse of nepotism," he said.
He said the same argument could be made for the Maguindanao massacre case involving the Ampatuan family, who are known allies of President Arroyo. He said that after the November 23 massacre, Mrs. Arroyo declared a state of martial law in Maguindanao to effect the arrest of prime suspects involved in the massacre.
Arroyo urged to reconsider manicurist's appointment to Pag-IBIG
By Larize Lee, abs-cbnNEWS.com Intern
as of 04/23/2010 12:31 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A state workers' group is set to ask President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to reconsider the appointment of her personal manicurist as member of the Pag-Ibig Fund's board of trustees.
Ferdinand Gaite, leader of state workers' group, Courage, told abs-cbnNEWS.com they have already drafted a position paper requesting President Arroyo to withdraw the appointment of Anita "Nitz" Carpon as member of the Pag-Ibig Fund's board.
Gaite said the position paper will be circulated to all government agencies before they submit it to the Office of the President.
He said that hopefully, the position paper would get enough signatures before Carpon officially assumes her post. He added that they will include in the paper the appointment of Mrs. Arroyo's gardner, Armando Macapagal, as deputy of the Luneta Park Administration.
Jaime Fabiaña, Pag-IBIG Fund president, told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda, that Carpon has yet to submit a signed oath of office.
"In government, the assumption of office technically starts once you have submitted a signed oath of office. She (Carpon) has not yet [taken her oath of office]," Fabiaña said.
He added that Carpon was appointed by President Arroyo to represent government employees in the housing fund's board of trustees last March 6, which is 4 days earlier than the March 10 election ban on midnight appointments.
Fabiaña said they are hoping that Carpon would be able to assume office this month for her to be able to attend the monthly board meeting in mid-May.
Pag-IBIG defends appointment
The Pag-IBIG Fund president, meanwhile, said they have confirmed that Carpon is a government employee. He said that since the board is not covered by civil service rules, the President's manicurist can sit as member of the board of trustees.
He admitted that Carpon may not have direct experience or knowledge in housing, but assured that she would be carefully briefed before she actually attends a board meeting.
Fabiaña, meanwhile, denied that a board trustee receives a total of P130,000 a month. He said the actual take-home money of a board trustee is P10,000 a month.
"After each board meeting, they receive P1,000 each. There are also committee meetings and everytime they meet, they receive P5,000, but there is a limitation of only 2 meetings a month. That is why at most, [a board member] receives P10,000 a month," he said.
He added that the Pag-IBIG Fund has drafted a request to raise the per diem allowance of its board members because the rate has remained unchanged since the 1980s. -- with Michelle Cristobal, abs-cbnNEWS.com Intern