San Juan mayor denies 'political vendetta' allegations

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora has refuted Senator JV Ejercito's claim that the non-payment of terminal benefits to retired local government employees is a result of political vendetta. According to Zamora, 122 claims for terminal leave benefits have already been released to appointees and hires of the previous Estrada administrations in San Juan, and there is no bias in the selection process.

Zamora also pointed out that former Mayor Guia Gomez was one of the first individuals to receive her terminal leave benefit. He stated that the city government has released P45,934,981.03 worth of terminal leave benefits since 2019 to 122 claimants, including key members of the previous administration. However, releases are based on a schedule that is strictly followed for budget management purposes to ensure that all aspects of local governance are given attention to.

In his statement, Zamora emphasized that he looks at all individuals equally as far as services and benefits due to them are concerned, regardless of their political affiliations. He added that he had supported Senator Ejercito when he ran for the Senate in 2022, and hence, there is no reason or basis for him to think that they have political grudges with each other that can cause him to pressure or prevent the release of terminal benefits to their people.

Zamora also clarified that the city government's ability to disburse pending payables, including terminal leave benefits, was affected by an unplanned P40,997,942.75 tax payment expense.

The payment was made to prevent the garnishment and levy of the city government's assets due to the failure of Mayor Ejercito and former Mayor Gomez to settle tax deficiencies worth P65,954,947.90 for fiscal year 2008.

The mayor assured that the city government is committed to releasing claims for terminal leave benefits to all qualified employees and that the processing and releasing are ongoing and continuously being done to ensure that those without pending complaints and/or cases will be prioritized.

Finally, Zamora stressed that the city government cannot release all terminal benefits in one tranche as it will have an adverse effect on the city's budgeting and finances.