Misamis oriental: A Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Misamis Oriental provincial government, preventing it from conducting “over-the-counter” release of salaries for its employees. The petition for prohibition with a TRO was made public on Thursday and was signed by RTC Branch 18 Presiding Judge Giovanni Alfred Navarro.
According to Philippines News Agency, the petition was filed by members of the 20th Legislative Provincial Board, with Governor Juliette Uy representing the executive branch of the provincial government. “The court finds that great or irreparable injury would result to the petitioners before their application for preliminary injunction can be heard,” Navarro stated in the order. The TRO will be effective for 20 days.
The case originated from an order under Uy’s administration requiring all employees to receive their salary personally after being interviewed by the governor, despite the existence of an online system for disbursement. Uy’s administration argues that this measure is part of an initiative for good governance and transparency, particularly in eliminating “ghost employees.” However, most provincial board members consider the process to be cumbersome and potentially causing delays in the release of workers’ salaries.
