UP-NCPAG: Nothing wrong in endorsing someone for gov't post

It is not illegal to endorse a person to be promoted or hired as a government employee, the dean of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance said.

Professor Maria Fe Mendoza, dean of UP-NCPAG, said this amid the issue involving House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez recommending the promotion of an employee at the Bureau of Customs.

Mendoza said what is wrong is if the one who endorses insists that the agency comply with his request, and does not respect the agency's decision.

Alvarez recently confirmed that he gave a letter of endorsement for the promotion of Acting Customs Operations Officer V Sandy Sacluti.

However, he denied that it was lobbying.

Atty. Mandy Anderson, chief of staff of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, said that Alvarez – through an assistant – threatened her when she refused to promote an "unqualified" BOC employee, whom the Speaker was allegedly lobbying for.

Alvarez also denied Anderson's claims about the threat.

"Guniguni lang nya yun!" he said. —KG/KVD, GMA News