Way to rid gov’t of ‘ghosts’

Despite earnest efforts of the government to weed out ghost employees in its various agencies, it seems that authorities could not find immediate solution to this nagging problem.

In one case, a judge was found collecting the salaries of his court personnel through a special power of attorney (SPA) where he was authorized not only to collect treasury warrants but also to endorse and negotiate them as well. In Quezon City, it was reported that the amount of P170 million was paid to ghost employees, while in Taguig City, the amount of P315 million was allegedly allocated for fictitious personnel.

Similar cases were filed in the Ombudsman and it appears that the salaries intended for these “ghost employees” were claimed and received by other personnel through the use of SPAs which give them the authority to receive the salaries or encash the checks.

To put an end to this nefarious act in government, I respectfully recommend to Congress the enactment of a law prohibiting and penalizing the use of SPAs in claiming or receiving the salaries or allowances of another government employee, except in extreme emergency or if the concerned employee is too sick or disabled to personally receive

his salary.

Common sense dictates that all employees who actually work hard would always want to personally receive their salaries and allowances on time. It is quite intriguing if a great number of employees in a government agency would not show interest nor have the time to personally receive their salary when payday is one of their most awaited days. If they have no time to receive their salary on paydays, with more reason that they have no time nor interest in doing the job for which they are supposedly engaged.

Thus, the imperative need for the law prohibiting and penalizing the use of SPAs in the collection of one’s salary in the government. And pending the enactment of this law, I respectfully urge President Aquino, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to immediately issue appropriate executive orders or directives to their respective departments or agencies, prohibiting any of their employees from claiming or receiving the salary or allowances of another government employee through the use of SPAs. Appropriate notices about such directives should be given to their respective depository banks.

—ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, Las Piñas City