By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
In reaction to the story we published in THEPHILBIZNEWS yesterday, June 20, “Tourism Secretary assures continued operations of Duty Free Philippines, debunks rumor of the alleged closure”,
read related article: https://thephilbiznews.com/tourism-secretary-assures-continued-operations-of-duty-free-philippines-debunks-rumor-of-the-alleged-closure/, the Duty Free Philippines Employees Association President, Alexander Sablan together with some employees said that Duty Free Philippines stores are facing closure due to COVID19 pandemic.
Sablan said, “It was based on FACT specifically the official memorandum submitted by DFPC ODCOO Belmonte dated May 29, 2020 where he mentioned that management is compelled to CLOSE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY all stores/outlets at the following locations…the union reacted on this memo and now Sec. Puyat and the DFPC Management is (sic) changing the story and suddenly changing their minds at ngayon parang gawa-gawa lang namin ang mga kwento??? PLEASE don’t twist the facts! Your readers deserve to know the real story. Please be careful with your words – did you even know the meaning of RUMOR AND ALLEGATION? If you want I can provide you all the official signed documents including the letters from Sec. Puyat so you’ll know the real side of the story. The statement of DFPC that you included in your report does not even have a signature, and you are considering that official?”
According to a certain, Ernie Mangalindan who sent a message to THEPHILBIZNEWS Facebook Page, the threat of closure is real and was not a figment of the imagination of DFP Employees Association President Sablan.
Mangalindan alleged that there was a plan several years back on the privatization of Duty Free Philippines based on the Civil Service Commission resolution declaring that the Duty Free Philippines employees are civil servant starting from the year 2000 onward and not on the year 2016 as previous management declared because of this Civil Service Resolution Duty Free Philippines are required to pay salary adjustment allowances and overtime pay due to all of its employees from the year 2000 to 2015.
He also stated that the Duty Free Philippines management needs to pay to their employees for the past 15 years of the necessary adjustment based on CSC resolution.
“So instead of paying us what is due to us, they would rather close the Duty Free Philippines and use the present crisis as a reason to close it and not pay the actual benefits (sic) due to all of its employees because of the Civil Service Commission’s resolution,” Mangalidan added.
Other people from Duty Free Philippines supporting the statement of its Employees Association President who sent a message to THEPHILBIZNEWS to clarify that published news are Micmic Vibal, Onilazir Hernandez Sotnas, Eric Oracion, and Hakuna Matata.
Editor’s Note: The Philippine Business and News does not have a copy of the Civil Service Commission resolution mentioned by a certain Ernie Mangalindan. Neither those who sent message provided us with a copy except the ones published above.