• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Monday (Aug. 19) that they are looking forward to the return of suspended Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II amid the administrative and criminal charges he is facing both in the Office of the Ombudsman and the local trial court.
On Aug. 15, Diaz posted a bail bond of P30,000 for alleged violation of Republic Act 6713, or an Act Establishing Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by the Himamaylan Municipal Trial Court in Cities.
Diaz is now serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Ombudsman for alleged conflict of interest when he and Executive Assistant II Chery Sheil Valenzuela engaged in private law practice while being employed by the provincial government.
The complaint, filed by former Attorney IV Roxenne Sumanting of the Provincial Legal Office on June 20, 2022, stemmed from the alleged failure of the respondents to provide legal assistance or representation to the municipality of Binalbagan on the expropriation cases filed before the Regional Trial Court in Himamaylan City.
The Ombudsman also cited both for conflict of interest for appearing as counsels for JLL Agriculture and Development, one of the defendants in the expropriation case, while being an incumbent provincial administrator and executive assistant II.
Diaz has filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the Ombudsman.
Asked if both criminal and administrative complaints will affect the return of Diaz to the Capitol, Nellas said these will not, as the cases have no finality yet.
“As far as we are concerned, we are still looking forward for Attorney Ray to come back to the province,” he added. | GB
