BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Provincial Legal Office of the Negros Occidental capitol issued a show-cause order to Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino asking for an explanation regarding catering services. Were these paid or unsettled?
Atty. Alberto Nellas, provincial legal officer, said the matter involved over P1 million of catering service back in 2018.
Masculino immediately replied to the show-cause order, according to Nellas.
“It’s just a show-cause order in response to the demand of a catering company,” Nellas explained.
The provincial legal officer said they would assess if the matter would result to the filing of administrative charges.
There were other department heads issued with show-cause orders – former Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado and Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program Division officer-in-charge Ma. Mina Pellejo – and investigations were conducted.
The results would be released soon.
Nellas said the pandemic derailed the investigation process, although Salado was relieved from his office, and Pellejo was also issued a show-cause order.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, meanwhile, denied a “witch hunt”.
“There is nothing personal or political in this investigation,” Diaz said./PN
