By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FORMER Department of Public Works Public Information Officer Felipe Q. Atalig has retained Michael W. Dotts, Esq. to represent him in pursuing his complaint and claims against DPW.
Atalig, who is 85 and battling prostate cancer, had been representing himself before the Civil Service Commission and in the Superior Court since filing his complaint following his termination in March 2018.
On March 14, 2025, Judge Pro Tempore Dana A. Gutierrez upheld the Superior Court’s Sept. 26, 2024 order granting Atalig’s petition for judicial review and remanded the matter to the Civil Service Commission.
On July 16, 2025, Administrative Hearing Officer Mark Scoggins scheduled the adjudication hearing to begin Nov. 17, 2025, and continue daily until completed. However, on Oct. 22, 2025, CSC Chairperson Raymond M. Muna issued a sua sponte order, taking the matter off calendar. The order stated:
“For good cause, the undersigned hereby takes the hearing scheduled for November 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. off calendar. The hearing will be rescheduled by separate order after conferring with the parties.”
“Are they waiting for me to die?” Atalig asked in an interview. He said that although he had achieved some success in court while representing himself, repeated delays in his case are eroding his hope for justice as his time grows short.
Atalig also revealed that he has already arranged a pre-funeral plan with Borja Funeral, including a reserved grave, to ease the financial burden on his family. “Right now, despite my health and age, my cognitive and intellectual abilities are still strong,” he said.
In the hope of advancing his case, Atalig secured the services of Dotts, who submitted the following statement of issues to the Civil Service Commission:
• Was Felipe Q. Atalig terminated?
• If he was terminated, was there sufficient cause for his termination?
• Were the policies and procedures regarding suspensions and terminations followed by DPW in Atalig’s case?
• Are any damages owed to Felipe Q. Atalig?
Atalig originally sought $352,000 in back pay, calculated based on a recent determination that his pay level is $19.24 per hour. He previously turned down an $80,000 settlement offer from DPW.
DPW terminated Atalig in March 2018 for alleged sexual harassment. Atalig has challenged the termination, maintaining that he and a male coworker were merely “joking around” when he placed his hands into the coworker’s pocket.
Despite his age and declining health, Atalig remains determined to see his case through. “I just want justice for what happened to me,” he said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
