Two gov’t workers suspended for gross misconduct

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two building inspectors of the Office of the Building Official (OBO) were suspended and formally charged with gross misconduct.

In a press briefing yesterday, City Legal Officer Atty. Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said these two regular government employees were sanctioned for a 60-day preventive suspension without pay.

But Ting refused to name them, pending the final verdict on the accusation against them.

Ting said the suspension will start once they receive a copy of the suspension order.

The administrative charges stemmed from a complaint against the two building inspectors for alleged extortion during a Mayor’s Permit renewal inspection here.

Citing the complainant, Ting said the government workers allegedly initially asked for P15,000 but was later reduced to P5,000 to expedite the OBO clearance approval on January 11.

He said that a hearing would be scheduled, and they have an option if they want to be represented by a lawyer.

Last month, the workers submitted their explanation and denied the allegations against them, saying that they only performed their work.

But, Ting, earlier, said that there was a video showing the alleged offense that had reached the attention of the mayor.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, said that if it requires the city to suspend or dismiss a huge number of employees, then so be it.

“Indi man puwede pabay-an ta sila kay wala ta mahimo,” he added.

Benitez said the preventive suspension is a forum for them to refute.

“We filed charges because of certain evidence,” he added.

Benitez said they will be unrelenting in their drive against anti-corruption.

“These are the things we will never tolerate,” he added.