Pangilinan questions removal of contractual PS-DBM workers

Opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Monday demanded the reason for the removal of some contractual workers of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

During the Senate probe on the Department of Health's (DOH) COVID-19 budget utilization, Pangilinan asked retired PS-DBM Inspection Service officer in charge Jorge Mendoza III on the number of workers whose contracts were not renewed by the agency.

Mendoza, himself, who has been working for PS-DBM for 30 years, was removed, Pangilinan said.

"Isolated case po yan (It's an isolated case)," Mendoza said in response to Pangilinan.

The senator asked DBM Undersecretary Tina Canda about the removal but the latter referred his question to PS-DBM officer-in-charge Attorney Jasonmer Uayan.

Uayan, however, said he will need to consult with their human resources department to determine the number of removed personnel.

Further, Pangilinan questioned this sudden removal, adding that he is wondering if the contracts of these employees were not renewed because the agency is trying to "keep something under wraps."

"I want to know how many were removed and were not renewed. We are investigating wrongdoing here so we want to know if this is part of an effort to keep the lid (on)?" the senator pointed out.

"Keep it under wraps? Remove people who know something? I don't know? I was wondering.  That is why I want to know how many," he added.—AOL, GMA News