BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The lawyer of dismissed workers of local water utility Primewater Corporation is confident the courts will give weight to the decision of the Civil Service Commission’s regional office that ruled in favor of the 59 former employees.
Cesar Beloria Jr. told DNX the process before a final ruling can be had might take years as it is a probability that the Primewater management might appeal the decision of CSC regional chief, Director 4 Nelson Sarmiento, before the CSC national office, and take it all the way to the High Tribunal after passing through appellate courts.
“That is a probability if we talk about the process,” he said but expressed confidence that the courts will give weight to the CSC decision.
He said the CSC is a Constitutional body created to oversee government processes and rule on manpower deployment in government.
As such, it is specialized body that has expertise on matters being brought to it, he added.
Primewater used to be the Bacolod City Water District, a government owned and controlled firm, before the joint management agreement with the Villar-owned Primewater took effect last year.
The petitioners were terminated 31 December, last year.
