PROVINCIAL Legal Officer lawyer Alberto Nellas, Jr. Nellas on Thursday, August 19, 2021, said they have granted the request of Provincial Human Resource Management Office Head lawyer Annabelle Palic for a 15-day extension to answer administrative charges against her.
Nellas said formal charges have been served to Palic.
"She was given three days to submit additional evidence or indicate if she wants to submit position paper for a formal hearing and she asked for the 15 days extension," Nellas said.
He revealed that they expect Palic's answer on August 28 on what mode of resolution she will take, either to submit a position paper or to proceed with the formal investigation hearing.
Palic has been put under preventive suspension for 60 days after being formally charged for oppression, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and grave misconduct.
The suspension came after the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (Pace) filed a formal administrative complaint against Palic on July 6, before the office of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for alleged acts of oppression, prejudicial to public interest and grave abuse of discretion.
Renelo Lastierre, Pace president, said the filing of complaints against Palic was made after the Union's Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution, which is also supplemented by the petition signed by 694 employees of the provincial government.
Lastierre said the complaint stemmed from accusations of some aggrieved Capitol employees, including those who already retired from government service, against her.
Palic has been reassigned to the Negros First Cyber Centre since 2020.
Palic has not issued a statement as of Thursday.
