• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Amid administrative and criminal charges he is facing in both the Ombudsman for Visayas and the local trial court, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. yesterday said that they are still looking forward to the return of suspended Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz to the provincial government.
On August 15, Diaz posted a bail bond of P30,000 for alleged violation of RA 6713, an Act Establishing Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by the Himamaylan Municipal Trial Court.
Diaz is currently serving a six month suspension, as ordered by the Ombudsman Visayas, for alleged conflict of interest when he and Executive Assistant II Chery Sheil Valenzuela engaged in private law practice while under the employment of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
The complaint, filed by former Attorney IV Roxenne Sumanting of the Provincial Legal Office on June 20, 2022, stemmed from the alleged failure of the respondents to provide legal assistance or representation to the municipality of Binalbagan on the expropriation cases filed before the Regional Trial Court in Himamaylan City.
Ombudsman also cited conflict of interest for appearing as counsels for JLL Agriculture and Development, one of the defendants in the expropriation case, while being an incumbent provincial administrator and executive assistant II.
Diaz has filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the Ombudsman.
Asked if the criminal and administrative complaints will affect the return of Diaz to the Capitol, Nellas said it will not, as there is no finality yet on the cases.
“As far as we are concerned, we are still looking forward to Atty. Ray coming back to the province,” he added.
Aside from being the Provincial Legal Officer, Nellas is currently serving as officer-in-charge of the Provincial Administrator’s Office.*
