Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said provincial tourism officer Cheryl Decena and the four former disbursing officers of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary can always file their objections to their six-month suspensions before the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
The governor said Decena can use her claim that there is a “pattern of harassment” against individuals who have honestly served the provincial government as the reason for their appeal.
“If they feel that way, they can shorten the process by going directly to the CSC to file an appeal,” Lacson said, pointing out that the harassment claim is “something that they need to prove.”
Lacson said all cases regarding provincial government employees go through a process, adding, “there was no harassment intended.”
Lacson’s suspension of Decena and the four disbursing officers for six months without pay took effect on Tuesday.
Also suspended were Mark L. de la Cruz, Ester Jane T. Ignacio, Alfredo C. Tolosa III, and April Love E. Wee.
“They were found administratively liable for slight neglect of duty related to irregularities and delays in the remittances of cash advances, resulting in mismanagement and a P3.5 million loss to Mambukal for Calendar Year 2023,” Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said on Wednesday.
Under the principle of “command responsibility,” Decena, who was then the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Mambukal Resort, failed to rectify the unliquidated cash advances for Calendar Year 2023, the complaints against her stated.
The decision said that Decena “neglected her duty to establish the necessary measures that would ensure financial transparency and openness, as mandated by law. This failure further compromised the financial stability of Mambukal and contributed to the financial discrepancies observed during her tenure.”
Decena, who called the suspensions “unwarranted,” said they will respect the process and will file a Motion for Reconsideration (MR).
She said they complied with the liquidation process and submitted everything required.
“I cannot just keep quiet now because I really feel bad,” she said.
She has people to think of, they will go hungry, as “not everybody has the same status in life”, Decena said in defense of those suspended.
Nellas, for his part, said he would advise Decena and the four others to file their appeal with the CSC.
He said decisions made against provincial government employees are based on evidence, not harassment.
“The offenses and anomalies committed are grave, and penalties meted out are based on substantial evidence. These are not acts of harassment, these are acts of accountability,” he said.
“I hope the public can see that the governor is simply setting things right and correcting misconduct by our erring public officers,” Nellas said.
Decisions were made to protect the interest of the provincial government, he added.
Nellas said under the new Mambukal management, its financial situation has been rehabilitated.
He said the calendar year is not over and the revenue of the resort is already P75 million.
Mambukal no longer relies on cash advances, it is self-reliant, Nellas said.
There is a “marked improvement” compared to previous management, he said.*