Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas said an administrative case will be filed against former provincial agriculturist Japhet Masculino after a prima facie evidence has been established on the P1 million unpaid catering service transacted by OPA under his supervision.
However, he stressed that the case will not affect Masculino’s retirement claims with Government Services Insurance System since a certificate of No Pendency has been issued for him to process his documents.
“The formal charges were not yet filed when he retired. Meaning, he can proceed and process his retirement,” Nellas said.
The PLO said only Masculino’s leave credits, while still employed under the provincial government, will be put on hold pending the resolution of his case.
“His retirement does not absolve him of any responsibility since as a government employee, he is answerable to the public,” Nellas added.
He said they are filing the administrative case since there is a prima facie evidence against Masculino in the course of investigation involving the P1 million unpaid catering services contracted by OPA in 2018.
Nellas said the PLO had seen grave misconduct and dishonesty in the documents signed by Masculino.
Although the former OPA head said he will pay the unpaid obligation to the catering company from his personal funds, Nellas said he still has to answer the charges that will be filed against him.
The PLO said investigations are also going on against Masculino on the alleged under specification of a Grain Dryer that was delivered to OPA.
Masculino retired from public service after serving the government for 30 years. He was appointed as OPA head in 2018 by the Maraňon administration. – MML
