- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson gave an assurance Sunday, July 23, that the provincial government will not meddle in the affairs of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE).
This was after Renelo Lastierre was ousted as PACE president, following an election of its new set of officers, now headed by Ruben Diamante.
“I don’t think it is proper for the government to meddle in the affairs of PACE,” Lacson stressed.
Questioning his removal as PACE president by his fellow union officers, Lastierre yesterday said he will file a protest manifesto before the Civil Service Commission.
Since it is purely a union concern, Lastierre said he will bring this matter to the CSC Public Sector Labor Management Council, or PSLMC, being the last arbiter of issues concerning public sector unions.
He questioned the propriety of the process in his ouster as PACE president, which includes both substantive and procedural process of removal on grounds, vis-a-vis the interpretation of the PACE Constitution and By-Laws.
“They deceitfully gathered and declared a new set of officers,” Lastierre said, stressing that he was deprived of the right to be heard in the mentioned loss of confidence.
Lacson said that the provincial government “will continue to work with PACE in matters of its member government employees”.
Asked to comment on the appeal of Lastierre “for protection”, the governor said the former PACE president might be “overthinking” the issue.
Lastierre clarified that he is only asking for protection of the Capitol employees.
“It is with great respect to Gov. Lacson that PGNO will not meddle with PACE affairs, especially that I am filing a manifesto petition, questioning the process done by the Board of Directors in ousting me as president of PACE,” Lastierre said.
“Hence, pending resolution by the Civil Service Commission under the Public Sector Labor Management Council, the recognition of the unauthorized election of new set of officers must be held in abeyance,” he added./GB
