COMMUNICATIONS Secretary Martin Andanar vowed to investigate two Palace executives against whom unruly behavior and negligence were raised by their subordinates at the News and Information Bureau.
“We are already investigating the matter. I marked it urgent,” said Andanar, who was in Davao, referring to the probe that will be led by Communications Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Operations Enrique Tandan.
A distraught employee, who wrote under the pen name “Maria Clara,” vented out the concerns to President Rodrigo Duterte on the actions of NIB Director Desiree Ching and Assistant Director Earl Victor Rosero, alleged to have abused their powers even without formal appointments as yet to their posts.
The gender of the complainant was not clear, even with the complainant’s pseudonym.
“Sobra na po talaga ang nangyayari sa News and Information Bureau sa pamumuno ni Director Desiree Ching at Assistant Director Earl Victor Rosero, sana po makarating ito kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, Sec. Bong Go, Sec. Martin Andanar, Sec. Ernesto Abella at Civil Service [What’s happening at the NIB is getting out of control, we hope this can reach the President’s attention],” said Maria Clara, who penned the open letter, copies of which were as well sent to members of the Malacanang Press Corps.
“Hindi ko na po masikmura ang mga trato nila sa amin na hamak na mga tauhan lang nila. Ilang gabi ako hindi makatulog sa gingawang pambabastos, pangmamaliit, paninigaw at pamamahiya sa akin ni Desiree Ching at Earl Rosero [I can no longer tolerate the treatment we are being subjected to. I have suffered sleepless nights following their brash manners and their condescending attitude],” the complainant said.
“I have collected years as a government employee but this is the only instance that I have been shamed and shouted at by a novice,” the complainant added.
The complainant, who sought anonymity for fear of reprisal, expressed disappointment for Rosero’s “power tripping” for his outright show of disrespect since he was assigned to the NIB when President Duterte assumed office.
“When he blows his top, and is seething with anger, you would think he is about to throw some punches,” the complainant added. “His manners truly are rough.”
Rosero’s Facebook account also revealed how unprofessional he is in his demeanor, using words “hindi bobo [(not stupid]” as requirements in a post seeking applicants for job openings at his department.
The employees also lamented the alleged move by the Palace officials to renovate their offices “in glass” to make the same “more beautiful;” the planned procurement of Macintosh computers, even as most of the employees, particularly the transcribers, were turned into reporters; and the planned removal of the NIB Employees Union.
The complainant also raised the ire of many Malacanang Press Corps members against the official’s inefficiency, particularly the late sending of Palace transcripts.
The complainant appealed to President Duterte to look into the matter at once to prevent it from getting worse.
“Many are seeking succor. Des and Earl are proper when they are with fellow officials. But when Sec. Andanar is off their eye range, they go into power tripping,” the complainant said.