• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More show-cause orders have been issued by the Provincial Legal Office to Negros Occidental provincial government executives and employees, while a Capitol executive was stripped of his position by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr., who is also the officer-in-charge of the Provincial Administrator’s Office, yesterday confirmed that Anthony Carlos Agustin was stripped of his position as Provincial Sports Coordinator.
Agustin, who serves as Executive Assistant IV at the Office of the Governor, was however designated as liaison officer of the provincial government to Bacolod City government, according to Nellas.
He said the position vacated by Agustin has been taken over by Gov. Lacson.
Asked the reason for the removal of Agustin in his position, Nellas explained that it was just a movement of personnel. He did not elaborate further.
Agustin is on indefinite leave, added Nellas.
Executive Assistant IV Francis Velez was also issued with a show cause order by Nellas, who is also the Provincial Legal Officer, 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.
Nellas said Velez could be liable for alleged violation of RA 9184, or the Procurement Law, and RA 3019, or Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Velez, who declined to comment on the show-cause order issued to him, has been given until Monday next week to submit his explanation.
Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena was also issued another show-cause order, to explain on the discrepancy of the signatures of 13 individuals in a payroll, which did not match their submitted identification cards.
Also issued with show-cause orders are three employees assigned at the Provincial Tourism Office.
The 13 individuals are part of a drum beater group hired by the provincial government in an activity it sponsored.
Nellas disclosed that Decena and Provincial Tourism Office disbursement officers have already submitted their explanations, which they are now studying, before coming with a resolution.
Decena and some disbursement officers of the Capitol managed Mambukal Resort were also issued with show cause orders earlier, in connection with the unliquidated cash advances for catering services.
Decena, formerly the officer in charge for Mambukal Resort, prior to her designation as Provincial Tourism Officer, said those performers have already issued notarized certifications, on the authenticity of their signatures in the payroll.*