Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has dismissed three engineers and a project development assistant (PDA) of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist from the service for grave misconduct.
Dismissed were engineers Ramelo Letran, German Abihay and Rezin Palacios, and PDA Maria Luisa Abaño.
The 12-page decision recommended by Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. was approved by Lacson on Tuesday, January 3.
“The respondents having been found guilty of grave misconduct based on substantial evidence on record are hereby dismissed from service. It is further ordered that the respondents’ dismissal from the service shall carry with it the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, bar from taking civil service examinations, and forfeiture of retirement benefits,” the order said.
On July 15, 2022, the four utilized a Capitol Cab Service vehicle beyond office hours and refused to head back to the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod despite their meeting at the Victorias City Hall having ended early, the complaint against them said.
They engaged in a drinking spree at a restaurant in Victorias City beyond office hours in violation of the travel authority issued to them, it added.
The decision said respondents acted with gross inexcusable negligence when they used the vehicle beyond office hours and after their official business, without even informing the driver of their whereabouts.
The respondents were also in gross inexcusable negligence when they engaged in a drinking spree when they were supposed to merely discharge their administrative functions, the decision said.
“Public service requires integrity and discipline. For this reason, public servants must exhibit at all times the highest sense of honesty and dedication to duty,” it added.
The dismissal orders against Letran, Palacios and Abaño were served Thursday morning, Nellas said.
The order against Abihay had not been serve yet because he is still under preventive suspension for another case, and may be served at his home, he added.
The four can still appeal the ruling before the Region 6 Civil Service Commission, he said.
However, the dismissal is executory pending appeal, Nellas said.*