Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has dismissed an administrative case for grave misconduct filed against the former head of the Mambukal Recreation and Welfare Services Officer V of the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz confirmed on Wednesday, October 25.
The case against Ellen Marie M. Jalandoni was dismissed for lack of substantive evidence.
Jalandoni, who was the head of the Resort, was reassigned to the Vice Governor’s Office following the complaint lodged against her.
She had been issued a show cause order on March 9, 2020 after five employees of RBA Janitorial and Manpower Servicers issued a joint affidavit alleging that she committed misconduct and other irregular activities.
They alleged that she failed to provide them with needed supplies, made them perform work outside of their usual line of services, and ordered their unauthorized summary termination.
The 8-page decision dismissing the case against Jalandoni said it “appears that the respondent’s actions were motivated by the need to efficiently manage the resources of the Resort rather than a willful attempt to interfere with the employment relationship between RBA and its janitors. The Resort’s success and effective resource utilization were among her intentions, which can be viewed positively”.
Jalandoni’s actions appear to be motivated by managerial concerns rather than an attempt to infringe on workers’ rights, it added.
“While it is crucial to maintain the integrity of public office and uphold established rules, it is equally crucial to base judgments on the evidence and circumstances specific to each case. In this particular instance, the evidence presented does not meet the substantial evidence threshold required to hold Jalandoni liable for Grave Misconduct,” the decision said.*