RTC grants TRO on Misamis Oriental's 'over-the-counter' salary release

A Regional Trial Court in Baroy, Lanao del Norte, granted a temporary restraining order against the Misamis Oriental provincial government, preventing it from implementing an 'over-the-counter' salary release system for employees.

The petition for the TRO was filed by members of the 20th Legislative Provincial Board and signed by Judge Giovanni Alfred Navarro on Thursday.

Governor Juliette Uy's administration ordered that all employees must receive their salaries in person after being interviewed by the governor, despite an existing online disbursement system.

Uy's camp claims this measure is part of efforts to promote good governance and transparency, aiming to eliminate 'ghost employees'.

Most provincial board members argue that the new process is cumbersome and could delay salary releases for workers.

The TRO will be effective for 20 days, during which time great or irreparable injury would result to petitioners if the order were not in place.