Guv stays clear of Capitol execs’ suspension

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson declined to comment on the suspension of two capitol executives saying it is unethical for him to do so.

“Let the proper forum handle that. I hope they will be able to proceed judiciously,” Lacson said.

“I don’t want to discuss these cases. I think it would be unethical for me to discuss these cases that have been brought forward,” he added.

As to the sentiments of the capitol rank and file, Lacson said he got both positive and negative feedbacks.

“But we have to do what we have to do, I would just limit to that, I don’t want to talk about the cases publicly,” he said.

On Monday, Lacson ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado Jr. and Mambukal Resort head Ellen Marie Jalandoni pending investigation of administrative charges against them.

The governor designated Budget Officer IV Gemma Rose Flores as officer-in-charge of the budget office while Tourism Operations Officer II Cheryl Decena oversees Mambukal resort.

Salado’s suspension is due to his alleged failure as budget officer to carefully study and evaluate the creation of new positions by the province in its annual budget for fiscal years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019,

The oversight led to higher excess in the personal services (PS) cap allowance from P106,134,890.46 in 2015 to P595,224,524.03 in 2019 and leading to the disallowance of the said amount in 2019 and prohibition on Province of Negros Occidental to provide for additional PS items until such time that the PS cap is observed.”

Jalandoni on her part was slapped with a 60-day suspension, but for a different administrative charge.