Makati City Administrator Claro Certeza on Monday, May 26, stressed that Makati City Mayor-elect Nancy Binay cannot require the city's department heads to submit their courtesy resignations when she assumes office in July, as this would violate the Civil Service Code.

Certeza made the statement following Binay's announcement of her intent to ask city department heads to submit their courtesy resignations, citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent move to revamp his Cabinet.

“We respect the prerogative of the incoming mayor to ask for the courtesy resignations of the city’s department heads. However, we respectfully wish to remind the incoming mayor that the position of  department head is considered a permanent position under the Civil Service Code. Hindi po sila gaya ng Cabinet members na political appointees ng isang Presidente. They are career officials. At hindi po tulad ng Presidente, wala po sa kapangyarihan ng isang alkalde na iutos ang pagbibitiw ng mga department heads (They are not like Cabinet members who were appointees by the President. They are career officials. And unlike the President, the mayor does not have the power to order the resignation of department heads)," the official explained.

He also noted that, as his position as city administrator is a co-terminus, there is no need to submit a courtesy resignation since his term will end on June 30.

“The same applies for other co-terminus and casual employees of City Hall,” Certeza said.

The administrator stressed that the appointments of the city’s department heads have been reviewed and approved by the Civil Service Commission based on criteria set by law.

“Most of our department heads have been with the city government for decades, even as far back as the administration of former Mayor and Vice President Jejomar Binay. They rose from the ranks based on merit, professionalism and performance. Their permanent appointments were also ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod as required by the City Charter,” he explained.

Certeza also pointed out that the several names have been mentioned as replacements for tenured department heads and other key offices of the city.

“As expected, this situation has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in City Hall. Resolving these concerns with the incoming Mayor’s transition team is of utmost importance to ensure the continuation of services to our Makatizens."