• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Officer Cherryl Decena and three other employees were strongly admonished by the Provincial Legal Office in connection with the discrepancies in the signatures of 12 payees, who performed in the 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival Employees Night in April this year.
Decena, together with disbursing officers Jacqueline dela Gente and Roxane Gajo as well as cashier Ron Importante, had been issued show-cause orders to explain the alleged discrepancies in the signatures, which raised suspicions that they were forged.
In her explanation, Decena said that the honorarium was disbursed by disbursing officers, with other tourism officers and witnesses within the immediate vicinity, and some were released as witnessed by members of the Secretariat Committee.
At the same time, she submitted machine copies of the notarized pro forma certification from the payees, which attested that they personally received the honorarium and that their signatures are authentic ones.
Dela Gente, Gajo and Importante also submitted their respective replies that the payrolls in question were signed by the payees themselves, which were substantiated by the duly notarized certifications they had executed.
Based on the facts presented, lawyer Ricca Joy Resula, who is the Provincial Legal Office investigating officer, said that the respondents sufficiently addressed the orders concerning the alleged discrepancies in payee signatures on two payrolls by providing explanations and notarized certifications from the payees.
These documents present proof that the honorariums were personally received and that the signatures were authentic, Resula further said.
“The presence of notarized certifications indicates that the proper procedures were followed, negating any suspicion of forgery,” she added.
Resula said “it is essential that the respondents exercise greater diligence in identifying discrepancies and addressing them directly with those facilitating the signing, rather than certifying their authenticity without proper verification.”
Despite the satisfactory resolution of the specific discrepancies, it is imperative to uphold the principles set forth in Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
To reinforce these standards and to ensure that such incidents do not recur, the respondents’ actions are strongly reprimanded, she added.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Monday (Aug. 12) that they dismissed it, based on lack of substantial evidence as the respondents were able to justify discrepancies in the signatures.
Still, they have been warned that they should be compliant on documents submitted to avoid such investigations.
Decena and five other staff members of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia are also being probed by the Provincial Legal Office for alleged unliquidated cash advances.
Nellas stressed that the issuance of show-cause orders to some employees and executives at the Provincial Capitol “is nothing personal.”
Several Capitol executives and employees had earlier been dismissed under the administration of Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for various offenses. | GB
