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Capitol chief of staff axed

• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

A Capitol executive has lost his job due to loss of trust and confidence.

Francis Velez was relieved of his duties as chief of staff of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, effective July 30, Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., the Provincial Legal Officer and concurrent officer-in-charge of the Provincial Administrative Officer, revealed Friday.

“He is no longer connected with the Provincial Government,” Nellas said.

Velez started serving as an executive assistant of Lacson, from the time the latter was still the vice governor of Negros Occidental.

Prior to his dismissal, Velez was issued a show cause order by Nellas, to explain the withdrawal of several pieces of furniture from the Office of the Governor for repair, without obtaining prior authorization from Gov. Lacson or the head of the procuring entity.

In an issued memorandum order, Nellas said “additionally, this action was taken without following the procurement process outlined in RA 9184.”

On June 25, Velez issued an Obligation Request for the labor and materials for the repair, labor, and materials needed for the repair of furniture at the Office of the Governor, including four units of long sofa, two units of small sofa, 12 units of visitor’s chairs and four units of executive chair with arms, amounting to P129,200.

This was done without any prior consultation with Gov. Lacson, or without his authority, Nellas said.

He claimed that based on their comparative research of the prevailing market prices, it was overpriced, and no bidding was held.

Being a political appointee, Nellas said Velez can be relieved of his duties due to loss of trust and confidence. He, however, clarified that Velez was given an opportunity to explain. “We always observe due process whenever there are allegations,” he added.

While there was an investigation, we decided to exercise the prerogative of the governor, who has the privilege to relieve his political appointees if there is a loss of trust and confidence, Nellas said.

There is no word yet from Gov. Lacson on who will replace Velez.

As an executive assistant IV, Velez handled barangay affairs, served as the administrative head, and signed Purchase Requests for the Office of the Governor, Nellas said.*

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