• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Lawyer Anabelle Palic, former head of the Negros Occidental Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), has been dismissed from government service, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. confirmed yesterday.
Nellas 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 records.
He said Palic filed a motion for reconsideration, which is pending before the Provincial Legal Office (PLO).
The case stemmed from a joint complaint filed by numerous job order (JO) employees, retirees, and an employee.
“After administrative hearings, we were able to come up with a recommendation to the disciplining authority that she should be held administratively liable and be dismissed from the service,” Nellas said.
The dismissal of Palic, as recommended by the PLO, was approved by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, as the disciplining authority.
Palic cannot be reached for comment as of press time.
Based on evidence, the JO workers were required other requirements pertaining to their salaries while the retirees complained of not being given clearance immediately.
An employee accused Palic of not recognizing his leave during the pandemic.
While the investigation was being conducted by the PLO, Palic was stripped of her position as HRMO head, reassigned and designated as one of the focal persons in managing the Negros Cyber Center until a decision was rendered on her case.
Nellas said they will resolve the motion for reconsideration within the prescribed reglementary period, which will either re-affirm or overturn their findings.
“In case it will be re-affirmed, she has the right to make an appeal before the Civil Service Commission,” he added.
Palic’s dismissal from government service also carries accessory penalties, including forfeiture of benefits, among others, Nellas said. | GB
