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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority Employees Association refuted claims of their former boss, Charito Plaza, that she still holds sway over the agency
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Plaza also claimed incompetence of staff and that some PEZA employees are waging black propaganda against her
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The PEZAEA statement comes amid confusion over PEZA leadership as Plaza claims she still heads the agency
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Several government circulars have paved the way for the appointment of PEZA deputy director general Tereso Panga as OIC
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Plaza said she will only follow clarification that will be issued by the Office of the President
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority Employees Association (PEZAEA) decried claims of their ex chief, Charito Plaza, that she still heads PEZA.
According to PEZAEA, Plaza in a press conference on August 3 also claimed there was “need to cleanse the agency because of incompetence of employees” and that some PEZA employees are waging black propaganda against her.
PEZAEA said it is “deeply disheartened” by the allegations, calling them “reprehensible, unfounded, and inconsiderate for failing to recognize the dedication, dignity, and honor of PEZA employees.”
The association noted the issue over the PEZA leadership “has been dragging since last week and has affected the employees of PEZA and the image of the agency.”
Plaza, designated in 2016 by former President Rodrigo Duterte, has claimed she remains director general of the agency.
From July 1 though, deputy director general Tereso Panga, the next most senior official of PEZA, has sat as OIC. He took over following the issuance on June 30 of Office of the President Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 1, which declared as vacant all government posts held by Presidential appointees whose appointment are considered co-terminus with former President Duterte. He will hold the post until December 31, 2022 or until a new director general has been appointed or designated.
Panga’s appointment was affirmed by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Department Order (DO) No. 2022-68 dated August 2 and signed by Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, who also chairs the PEZA Board. The DO affirmed Panga’s term extension as PEZA OIC until December 31, in accordance with MC No. 3 issued on July 27.
MC No. 3 amends and supplements MC No. 1 and extends the appointment of OICs until December 31.
DO 2022-68 noted that pursuant to MC No. 1, Plaza was deemed separated from service effective June 30.
Plaza on August 2, however, said she “never officially ordered any turnover of my post and have never vacated my position as the director general.” She held a press conference on August 3 explaining her side.
In a letter dated August 2, Plaza also asked Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez to issue an order “clarifying that my position as Director-General was never vacated pursuant to MC No. 1 and MC No. 3.”
Plaza claimed PEZA is effectively exempt from implementation of MC No. 1 as MC No. 3, which amended MC 1, stated that government-owned and controlled corporations, government instrumentalities with corporate powers, and government corporations are exempt from both MCs. She said PEZA is considered a government instrumentality.
On August 3, Secretary Pascual said he stood by his DO, noting that PEZA is not exempt from MC No. 1.
Plaza said she will only follow the clarification that will be issued by the Office of the President.
PEZAEA said Plaza has completely disregarded Pascual’s order when she submitted a clarificatory letter to Rodriguez on August 2 even as she met with different department and units of PEZA on the same day to say her “farewell and heartfelt thanks to everyone.”
PEZA’s Promotions and Public Relations Group in a statement sent to media on August 3 said that “we in PEZA are bound and obeying the DTI Department Order No. 2022-88 affirming DDG Tereso O. Panga as the PEZA OIC.”
They clarified that Plaza’s press conference on August 3 “is at her own personal capacity”.
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