• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental will seek a reconsideration on the Civil Service Commission (CSC) decision ordering the reinstatement of former Attorney IV Ernie Magaspag, who was dismissed from government service in 2020.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Wednesday, July 15 the provincial government received the CSC central office decision on July 14, which dismissed the administrative cases against Magaspag and ordered his return to service.
However, Nellas clarified that the ruling is not yet final and executory.
He said the provincial government maintains that there is substantial evidence against Magaspag, particularly the closed circuit television (CCTV) footage summary report, which is believed to support the allegations filed against him.
Because of this, the provincial government is preparing to file a motion for reconsideration before the CSC within the 15-day reglementary period.
In an 11-page decision dated June 17, 2026 and signed by Commissioner Luis Mendrado Pangulayan, the CSC dismissed the administrative charges of serious dishonesty and falsification of official documents against Magaspag for lack of sufficient evidence.
The case originated from an anonymous complaint filed on Aug. 30, 2019, alleging frequent tardiness and absences of several lawyers assigned to the Provincial Legal Office.
The complaint cited a summary report of CCTV footage, along with Magaspag’s biometric and daily time record log-in records as evidence.
On Sept. 16, 2020, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson approved the decision finding Magaspag guilty of the charges, resulting in his dismissal from the service. Magaspag subsequently appealed the ruling before the CSC.
In reversing the dismissal, the CSC ruled that the evidence presented, including the CCTV summary reports, had not been properly authenticated and therefore could not sufficiently support the allegations.
The CSC ordered Magaspag’s reinstatement as Attorney IV and directed the payment of his full back wages, benefits, and accumulated leave credits covering the entire period of his separation from government service. | GPB
