• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz is expected to return soon to the Negros Occidental provincial government.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that an order from the Department of Interior and Local Government is needed for Atty.Diaz to return to his position at the Capitol.
The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed for lack of merit, the administrative charges of serious dishonesty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and oppression, filed against Diaz, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas, Jr., and Executive Assistant Chery Sheila Valenzuela.
However, both Diaz and Valenzuela were found guilty by the Ombudsman for violation of Section 7(b)(2), in relation to Section 11(b) of RA 6713, and pursuant to Section 10(b), Rule III of Administrative Order No. 07, as amended, and meted the penalty of suspension from the service for one month without pay.
Lacson said he is glad that the Ombudsman did consider and lowered the number of days of suspension, from six months to one month.
In a press briefing on Saturday, Diaz described the Ombudsman decision on their appeal, as a partial victory.
Diaz added that he plans to bring up the case to the Court of Appeals within 15 days for a final decision.*
