THERE is nothing personal nor politics behind the suspension of two capitol employees, said Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Provincial Administrator.
Diaz also said that another Capitol department head has been served with a show cause order for complaints filed against her.
Diaz confirmed that Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado and Mambukal Manager Ellen Marie Jalandoni are now under a 60-day preventive suspension for administrative complaint.
Salado is facing gross neglect of duty charges while Jalandoni is suspended for grave misconduct.
Diaz said the charges against the two department heads have something to do with money matters.
The same cause was the basis for serving a show cause order against Mina Pellejo, head of the Negros Occidental Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP). Her case has something to do with alleged overspending, Diaz said.
Diaz also clarified that there is no formal complaint filed against Dr. Cristina Orbecido, head of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center and Karen Dinsay, head of the Scholarship Program.
Diaz said the complaints against the three department heads have reached the internal audit of the province and the Commission on Audit that's why they have to be addressed.
The show cause orders have been sent to the three but they were put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Diaz also said that with the suspension of Salado and Jalandoni effective June 8, he is now considering appointing an officer-in-charge (OIC) in their departments but he refused to name the prospective employees as he still has to submit their names to the governor for approval and signing of their appointments. He said the OICs will come from their offices or other departments.
Diaz said the two department heads have two options to take relative to the investigation they are facing. They may opt to submit a position paper or face a hearing. They will need a lawyer and we will appoint a prosecutor from the Provincial Legal Office during the hearing to be presided by a hearing officer or a panel, Diaz revealed.
Diaz further pointed out that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and his administration have been very supportive of the department heads.
" The governor runs the province professionally and we embrace all employees and department heads like brothers and sisters," he added.
He said that because there are already legal implications of the issues against the concerned department heads that's why they have to be investigated.
We would be happy if they can resolve the issues against them and we just want to rectify the COA and DBM disallowances and recent observation memo, he added.
