BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Another Negros Occidental provincial government executive has been issued a show cause order for alleged conflict of interest and unliquidated cash grants.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas yesterday confirmed reports that a show cause order was issued against Provincial Disaster Management Program Division chief Zephard Gerhart Caelian, in connection with the unliquidated cash grant of P3 million to the Amity Public Safety Academy (APSA) in 2017.
Based on the report from the Office of the Governor which issued the show cause order that was channeled to Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, it said that Caelian served as one of the board of directors of APSA, despite being the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of the provincial government of Negros Occidental (PGNO).
It added that Caelian was directly or indirectly receiving or benefitting from the APSA, in the guise of salary and allowances as one of its directors, while simultaneously receiving or benefitting from the PGNO, in the guise of salary and allowances as its PDRRMO.
While Caelian refused to issue a statement, in response to the complaints against him, Nellas disclosed that the PDRMMO, who already submitted his counter affidavit to the Provincial Legal Office, initially denied the allegations against him, stressed that there was no conflict of interest.
The P3 million allocation for APSA aimed to establish the Negros First Emergency Response Team (NFERT), purchase equipment and training.
Nellas said that the investigation is still in its infancy stage.
He clarified that the issuance of a show cause order against Caelian two weeks ago, is not yet an administrative case, as he is still reporting as PDMPD head.
Nellas said they have 20 days to resolve the issue and determine if there is a need to issue a formal charge, depending on evidence presented.
If there is substantial evidence, he said they will issue a formal charge, stressing also the possibility of a preventive suspension being issued.*
