- GILBERT BAYORAN
Another Capitol executive has been issued with a show-cause order for alleged conflict of interest and unliquidated cash grants, worth P3 million.
Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Alberto Nellas, confirmed reports on Monday that a show-cause order has been issued on Provincial Disaster Management Program Division chief Zephard Gerhart Caelian, in connection with the unliquidated cash grants of P3 million to the Amity Public Safety Academy (APSA) in 2017.
Based on the report from the Office of the Governor, which issued the show-cause order that was channeled to Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Caelian served as one of the board of directors of APSA, despite being the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.
It added that Caelian, directly or indirectly, has been receiving or benefitting from the APSA, through receipt of salary and allowances as one of its directors, while simultaneously receiving or benefitting salary and allowances from the Capitol as its PDRRMO.
While Caelian refused to issue a statement in answer to the complaints against him, Nellas said the former already submitted his counter-affidavit to the PLO, and initially denied the allegations against him. Caelian also stressed that there was no conflict of interest in his being a board of director of APSA and as PDRRMO.
The P3 million allocation for APSA aims to establish the Negros First Emergency Response Team (NFERT), and for purchase of equipment and conduct of training.
Nellas said the investigation is still in its infancy, or still developing.
He clarified that the issuance of the show-cause order two weeks ago is not yet an administrative case, and he is still reporting as PDMPD head.
Nellas said they have 20 days to resolve the matter to determine if there is a need for a formal charge, depending on the evidences presented.
If there are substantial evidences, they will issue a formal charge, Nellas stressed, adding there is a possibility of a preventive suspension against Caelian./GB
