• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In the wake of a perceived conflict between two Negros Occidental provincial government department heads, the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees board of directors (BOD), have suddenly entered the fray by removing Renelo Lastierre as the workers’ union chairman.
The removal of Lastierre as PACE president was confirmed yesterday by Ruben Diamante, who was elected as the new union chairman by the majority of its board of directors, following a special board meeting.
The BOD, upon a motion from board member Ryan Cuadra, declared all executive board positions vacant, from chairman to sergeant at arms, citing provisions of the PACE Constitution and By Laws, which also unanimously approved by nine of its 11 board of directors, Diamante said.
He, however, stressed that Lastierre remains a member of the board.
While he cannot categorically cite the grounds for removal of Lastierre, Diamante, who previously served twice as PACE president, said it was decided by majority of the BOD.
He also clarified that nobody manipulated or ordered them to do so, stressing that PACE has nothing to do with the perceived conflict between Lastierre and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.
Diamante strongly debunked insinuations that PACE is taking sides.
Lastierre was recently stripped of his supervision over the Capitol “blue guards,” along with his issued firearm and service vehicles.
However, his supervision over Capitol hired watchmen remains, although some were not rehired by the provincial government.
The Capitol hired watchmen deployed in properties of the provincial government in different areas of Negros Occidental, were ordered to report to Safety and Security Division headed by Lastierre at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
The new set of PACE officers are composed of Diamante as chairman, Al Ceralbo as vice chairman, Merly Frio as secretary, Arnel Reyes as treasurer, Allen Decena as auditor, Victor Gutang as PIO, and Venchito Magalona and Joseph Ryan Cuadra as Sgts. At Arms.
The Board of Directors is composed of Lastierre, Nimrod Sarmoy, and Ramil Buhisan.*
