OFFICIALS of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ceneco), including board president Arnel Lapore, have returned to work after their 90-day suspension issued by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on June 21.
Lapore said Tuesday his 90-day suspension has ended on September 21, 2016, along with directors Joyce Cuenca, Vicente Tan, Paul Lizares, and Robert Javellana.
The seven officials were suspended after Ceneco general manager Sulpicio Lagarde Jr. filed a complaint on March 10, 2015, questioning the legal basis of his termination in 2014 ruled by Lapore and the other directors.
Directors Zenaida Lacson and Michael Maravilla were also included in the suspension order, but Lacson already ended her term while Maravilla had resigned.
Lapore said they still have an unresolved motion for reconsideration with NEA because when that decision was handed, only nine days were left in the term of the officials who signed the order.
“So when we filed our motion for reconsideration, there was nobody there to consider our motion because no one was left at NEA,” he added.
Lapore said that if their motion for reconsideration will even be reconsidered, it will be rendered moot and academic.
“Nonetheless, we still pray that justice will prevail, that will be given justice (and) solution to our motion for reconsideration because we believe that NEA made an error. They rendered judgement on the basis of the alleged decision by National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC),” he said.
Lagarde went back to work on May 2 after NLRC rendered a favorable
decision in the case he filed against Lapore and the six directors for his illegal termination.
Lapore said they still have a pending petition for review before the Court of Appeals, questioning the decision of the NLRC.
On September 23, Lapore, along with the directors held a board meeting at Ceneco office. They discussed the status and programs of Ceneco, including finance.
