An employee of the Iloilo City Government has appealed for help from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Hotline 8888 for the alleged harassment by Mayor Jerry Treñas.

In a segment aired on Thursday, Oct. 24, over People’s Television Network (PTV) anchored by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Rosita Camacho, who works as special operations officer III at the city government, said that she was told by the mayor to file a leave of absence for 122 days after the latter assumed office in July.

Camacho alleged Mayor Treñas as saying that he will file a case against those who helped the previous mayor during the last elections. She said that since she works as a regular employee at the city hall, they are expected to support the administration.

After the new set of city officials assumed office in July, she relayed that she was summoned through the city administrator (Melchor Tan) and told to file a leave of absence for six months (for) the “peace of mind” of Treñas.

She added that it was not only her, but other employees at the city hall were also harassed as well and were told that they would be facing charges if they won’t go on leave.

“Mahal na Presidente, ordinaryong empleyado lang ako, natatakot ako sa buhay ko kung anuman ang mangyari sa akin. Kasi ikaw nga e hinamon ka nya noon ng suntukan (Dear President, I am just an ordinary employee. I am afraid of what’s going to happen to me. He even challenged you to a fistfight before,” an emotional Camacho stated when asked by Panelo to appeal to the President.

Camacho said that she already filed a case against Treñas before the office of the Ombudsman on Oct 2, 2019, but that she is seeking help from President Duterte for fair treatment.

Panelo advised the complainant to write him a letter so he will have a basis in referring her complaint to concerned government offices, as well as give the mayor a chance to air his side.

He also asked her to encourage her other co-employees to write down their complaints.

But in an interview Friday, Treñas said that he has not met nor talked to Camacho.

He said that the city hall employee is facing an electioneering charge and currently being investigated by the City Legal Office.

“Some people are born actors,” the mayor said.PNA