• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said on Thursday, Oct. 8 that the provincial government has filed a motion for reconsideration after the Civil Service Commission (CSC) ruled that three orders issued by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in 2022, involving former Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal were “not in order.”
Diaz said the province has received the CSC decision, but stressed that there is no “legal battle” between Sanogal and the administration.
“Real talk lang (Let’s be real). What legal battle? What battle? There was no battle between you and this administration,” he said in a Facebook post addressed to Sanogal.
The CSC ruling involved Lacson’s orders on Sanogal’s reassignment and her subsequent dropping from the rolls.
Diaz said the provincial government is still pursuing the motion for reconsideration because there are still pending legal proceedings involving the case.
He also questioned how Sanogal could be reinstated to her former position, saying she had already availed herself of early retirement through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
“How can we reinstate her since she already retired from the GSIS? Is she returning?” Diaz asked.
He said that Sanogal had personally sought early retirement and was given assistance by the provincial government to facilitate her transition, including time to complete property clearances, liquidations and other requirements.
Diaz said the administration was surprised by Sanogal’s decision to retire early because she was serving on several committees and councils, prompting the provincial government to make adjustments to ensure continuity of operations.
“The truth is not on her side,” Diaz declared. | GPB
