The Negros Occidental provincial administrator and the Bids and Awards Committee secretary voluntary started serving their six-month suspension on Friday, June 7, following an order issued by the Ombudsman.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz and Attorney 4 Chery Sheil Valenzuela, in a letter to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Thursday, asked that they be allowed to render their voluntary service of suspension without need of an order to implement from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Lacson is expected to appoint an acting provincial administrator on Monday, June 10.
A source said Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas will be appointed Provincial Administrator in a concurrent capacity.
The Ombudsman suspended Diaz and Valenzuela for six months without pay for engaging in the private practice of law that was “in conflict of interest” with their jobs at the provincial government.
Diaz denied they acted in conflict of interest.
“I personally believe that he has done nothing wrong,” Lacson said earlier.
Diaz and Valenzuela, in their letter to Lacson, said “this voluntary service of suspension is in due respect and deference to the authority of the Office of the Ombudsman. It must also be stressed that this shall be without prejudice to the resolution of our Motion for Reconsideration.”
“We have prepared our motion for reconsideration to this decision and we are hoping that our side will be heard and the merits of our case will be recognized by the Ombudsman,” they said.
They said as directed by the governor 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.
“I convened and informed the department heads about the Ombudsman’s decision. 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,” Diaz said.*