Negros Occidental governor affirms dismissal of HR chief

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the provincial government’s Human Resource Department chief and affirmed her dismissal.

Lacson told reporters during a press briefing Tuesday that he signed the order denying Atty. Annabelle Palic’s appeal, confirming the earlier recommendation of the Provincial Legal Office.

Palic was found administratively liable for grave misconduct, oppression, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and being notoriously undesirable.

Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. said the recommendation was based on evidence presented during the administrative proceedings.

Palic’s dismissal stemmed from a joint complaint filed in 2021 by more than 20 individuals—including job order workers, retirees, and one regular employee—who accused her of various forms of workplace oppression.

Nellas said job order workers alleged Palic imposed requirements not officially mandated before releasing their salaries.

Retirees complained of delays in the processing and release of clearances.

A regular employee claimed that Palic failed to acknowledge his leave credits during the pandemic.

The complaints were compiled and submitted by the provincial government employees’ union, which was then led by Renelo Lastierre.

Following an administrative hearing, the PLO recommended Palic’s dismissal to the disciplinary authority.

The decision was served to her on June 17, 2025.

Palic filed her motion for reconsideration on June 30.

She had earlier been suspended for 60 days in 2021, and after the suspension ended on Oct. 4 of that year, she was reassigned to the transition team at the Negros First Cyber Centre.

Nellas added that Palic still has the right to appeal the decision to the Civil Service Commission.

Meanwhile, Lacson confirmed that three employees of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) resigned following allegations that they accepted payments to expedite the release of permits.

He said he accepted their resignation after the three submitted letters addressed to him, expressing remorse for their actions.

“There’s no need to investigate because they resigned,” Lacson said.

Earlier, the three employees received show cause orders related to complaints that they were demanding payments for the issuance of permits, particularly the Recognition of Active Surveillance on African Swine Fever (RAS-ASF).

Their identities were not disclosed by the provincial government.