• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday (June 10) that he granted the request of Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II and Executive Assistant II Chery Sheil Valenzuela for them to start serving the penalty of six-month suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Lacson said that he designated Alberto Nellas Jr. as the acting provincial administrator while performing his duty as the provincial legal officer.
The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Diaz and Valenzuela for six months without pay for “conflict of interest” while engaging in the private practice of their profession as lawyers during their incumbency in government.
In a letter sent to Lacson, Diaz and Valenzuela said “this voluntary service of suspension is in due respect and deference to the authority of the Office of Ombudsman.”
It is without prejudice to the motion for reconsideration they had filed as well as without the need of order to implement from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, they added.
Lacson said he is hoping that the Ombudsman decision on the suspension of Diaz and Valenzuela will be reversed.
Diaz said they have undertaken proactive measures to ensure the continuous and seamless operation of the Provincial Administrator’s Office and the provincial government of Negros Occidental as a whole.
“We reached a consensus to prepare for the consequences of the suspension order and distribute duties and responsibilities that are affected by this development. All departments are prepared and ready to perform despite our absence,” he added.
For his part, Lacson said: “I am confident that we will continue to function well, because of the system that we already have in place.” | GB
