It is hoped that the dismissal of four Negros Occidental provincial government employees from the service will send a strong message to others against committing abuses, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Friday, January 6.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson dismissed engineers Ramelo Letran, German Abihay and Rezin Palacios, and project development assistant Maria Luisa Abaño of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for grave misconduct on Tuesday.
On July 15, 2022, the four used a Capitol Cab Service vehicle beyond office hours and refused to head back to the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod after a meeting at the Victorias City Hall, the decision dismissing them from the service said.
They instead engaged in a drinking spree at a restaurant in Victorias City beyond office hours, and made the vehicle and its driver wait, in violation of the travel authority issued to them, it added.
A big factor was that they showed no remorse and even justified their actions, Diaz said.
It was also not the first time offenses were committed, he added.
“We have been very lenient and understanding but is seems that lessons were not learned,” Diaz said.
The misuse of a government vehicle is a grave offense under the civil service law, he said.
“There are two sides of the coin, if you are in management and the abuses continue will you not put your foot down to make a statement?” Diaz asked.
He said the dismissal order is geared towards sending a strong message against the abuse of the use of government assets.*