• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three employees of the Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), who have been investigated for allegedly soliciting money to expedite the release of transport permit for live hogs, have tendered their resignation from the government service effective next month.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday that he accepted their resignation.
The complainants, in a letter sent to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, claimed the three employees demanded payments for the release of permits, particularly the recognition of active surveillance, which certifies that a hog farm or a local government unit has implemented measures to detect and control the spread of African swine fever.
This prompted the Provincial Legal Office to conduct a probe on the allegations and issue show-cause orders, requiring the three employees to submit their counter- affidavits.
However, before the full-blown investigation even started, they opted to resign from their regular positions.
Meanwhile, Lacson said that he signed an order, denying the motion for reconsideration filed by lawyer Anabelle Palic, former head of the Human Resource Management Office, for her dismissal from government service.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. earlier said the provincial government found Palic administratively liable for “grave misconduct, oppression, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and being notoriously undesirable,” based on evidence on record.
A joint complaint filed by job order workers, retirees, and a regular employee alleged that Palic showed “tyrannical attitude and inhumane treatment towards government employees.” | GB
