“Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” – Albert Einstein
Last Tuesday, I covered the regular session of the Provincial Board, which piqued my interest when lawyer Jefrie Sahagun appeared before the board members. Sahagun was chosen by Palawan Governor Amy Alvarez to be the provincial administrator. His appointment was later confirmed by the Board.
Sahagun was asked by Senior Board Member Winston Arzaga if he would resolve the pressing issue of delayed salaries for job order and contractual employees of the Capitol.
Sahagun had a ready reply for Arzaga, stating that he would simplify the salary process for the affected employees, who had been suffering from delays of up to six months for reasons that even the Board members could not clearly explain.
In the magnificent play The Merchant of Venice, the great literary writer William Shakespeare created a famous central character named Shylock, a Jewish moneylender portrayed as a villain.
Hated by the Christians in Venice during that era, Shylock had a habit of imposing high interest rates on people in dire need of money. To put it simply, Shylock’s business was akin to “5-6,” a kind of unethical, “immoral,” and illegal practice, as it was untaxed and conducted discreetly in whispers.
Sahagun should be aware that this predatory money-lending business has been ongoing within the Capitol since the time of former governors Salvador Socrates, Victoriano Rodriguez, Joel Reyes, Abraham Kahlil Mitra, Jose Alvarez, Victorino Dennis Socrates, and now Amy Alvarez.
Arzaga, one of the most senior Board members, was still a young and intelligent man when he was elected to the Provincial Board in 1992. Leoncio Ola, a former worker at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office who later became president of the Capitol employees’ union, ran and won a seat on the Provincial Board in 1995. Throughout those years, the Shylock of the Capitol thrived and enriched himself through this deplorable illegal money-lending scheme.
Sahagun must understand and uncover the systemic scheme of this “Shylock” within the Capitol to resolve the persistent problem of delayed salaries for Capitol employees.
At Palawan’s Capitol, these individuals, akin to Shylock, are regularly employed and receive steady salaries. Although they conduct their illicit business during office hours, they are tolerated as if everything is normal. They employ “leg workers” who are also hired on a job order basis.
The Capitol’s Shylock has a seat on the Local Finance Committee, giving him knowledge of the financial process—from the requisition of financial obligations to the Provincial Budget, ledgering of accounts, internal audits, and the payout by the Treasurer for the salaries of contractual and job order employees. Shylock knows when the salaries will be deposited into the respective ATM cards at the local Landbank.
Shylock has dark intentions to delay salaries so he can collect hefty, tax-free interest rates of at least 15 to 20 percent. He can orchestrate these delays because he is one of the signatories on the vouchers.
Sahagun must know that Shylock and his accomplices are not ordinary Capitol employees. He could ask the organic security officers and regular staff in the Governor’s office about the identity of this Shylock.
Governor Amy Alvarez issued a stern warning to Shylock last Monday morning in front of all Capitol employees, ordering him to cease his illicit business during her administration.
She stated she would not hesitate to bring Shylock and his cohorts before the Office of the Ombudsman if caught in the act.
I have the impression that the governor already has an inkling of Shylock’s identity; otherwise, she would not have issued such warnings.
Either Shylock was insolent or bold when he claimed that previous governors had decided to place the funds intended for employee salaries in time deposits, causing delays of months. He said time deposits could yield high interest rates, which fueled resentment among employees toward the sitting politicians in the Capitol.
By the way, I had the chance to visit my dear friend, City Administrator lawyer Arnel Pedrosa, who recently underwent open surgery for his gallbladder at ACE Hospital in Puerto Princesa City. He had endured stomach pain since we were young college students.
He was unable to attend the inauguration of City Mayor Lucilo Bayron, as he was already confined in the hospital. He said he would continue to perform his duties even after being discharged.
“I will have to work from home,” Pedrosa said as he regained his strength.
He is accompanied by his devoted wife, Nancy, and their children.
Get well soon, padre.
