Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday revealed that 99 out of the 204 newly hired officials occupying high-ranking positions in the Office of the Ombudsman are “questionable.”
Remulla said that these 99 employees were found to have salary grade levels of 25 and above—positions that receive around P111,000 monthly and are considered among the highest in government.
“Yung 204 persons, we identified 99 of salary grade 25 and above, which is [a] very high position in government. And for them to be hired at the last minute and to occupy pivotal positions, [the] highest-paid positions paid with a premium at the last minute, I think is questionable,” Remulla said in a press briefing.
He noted that the newly appointed personnel hold key posts such as Special Prosecutor, Assistant Ombudsman, Director IV, and Graft Investigator.
He also pointed out that many of them are fresh lawyers but were already granted high salary grades.
“They have a say in the functions of the office, from evaluation to preliminary investigation to prosecution of people,” Remulla added.
A memorandum order has been issued directing the newly hired officials to tender their courtesy resignations, though Remulla clarified that these have not yet been accepted.
Earlier on Monday, the Ombudsman announced that all 204 new hires, suspected “midnight appointees,” will be asked to reapply, as their appointments will undergo reevaluation and will remain under a six-month probationary period.
A “midnight appointee” refers to a person appointed to a government position during the final days of an outgoing administration, often raising concerns about political motivations and procedural propriety.
via Kyle Cunanan
