í¢â‚¬Å“We are looking forward to having the last laugh here.í¢â‚¬
Lawyer Saleto J. Erames, the legal counsel of Negros Oriental University President Dr. Henry Sojor, said they are preparing their move regarding an order of the Civil Service Commission dismissing Sojor on grounds of nepotism.{{more}}
In an interview, Erames said that as of Friday, neither he nor Dr. Sojor received a copy of the CSC decision, even though it had been widely publicized in media outlets here.
Media outlets received copies of the Order from anonymous sources last week. Erames said he has no reason to doubt the authenticity of the document but expressed suspicion that í¢â‚¬Å“obviously, someone is out to destroy Dr. Sojor.í¢â‚¬
In an en banc decision dated February 1, the Civil Service Commission meted the penalty of dismissal from the service with all the accessory penalties of forfeiture of retirement benefits, disqualification from re-employment in the government service, cancellation of eligibility and bar from taking any civil service examination.
The case stems from a complaint filed several years ago against Dr. Sojor for allegedly hiring the services of his half sister, Estrella Sojor Mananquil, as a casual clerk of NORSU.
The decision was signed by Francisco Duque III, CSC chairman and Commissioner Mary Ann Fernandez Mendoza and attested by Dolores B. Bonifacio, director for commission secretariat and liaison office.
Erames said that upon receipt of the CSC Order, they will file a Motion for Reconsideration and, if it is denied, they will go to the Supreme Court for certiorari, as this is a question of law.
It is í¢â‚¬Å“not the end of the world yetí¢â‚¬ for Dr. Sojor as there is due process to follow, Erames said.
He said they will be filing a motion for reconsideration in the coming days and if it warrants, they will also seek a judicial review by the Supreme Court by means of a petition for review on certiorari.
In the meantime, Dr. Sojor will continue to function as NORSU president, Erames added. (with PNA report)
