By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said a division chief, three engineers, and a staff member of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), were made to explain for allegedly engaging in a drinking session while on official travel.
Nellas said this was based on the complaint of a Capitol cab operator.
They will face possible charges for grave misconduct and misuse of government property while on official travel on July 15, in Victorias City, he added.
Their identities were withheld pending investigation into the allegations.
Nellas said that based on evidence initially gathered, the travel order of the five respondents stated that they will have a meeting at 2 p.m. last July 15 at Victorias City Hall.
However, they were nowhere to be found by the Capitol cab driver, until the Victorias City Hall closed at 8 p.m. of the same day.
When checked by the OPA for their location, the respondents were found in a drinking session in a restaurant in Victorias City, Nellas said.
Worse, the OPA senior official allegedly berated the Capitol cab driver when the later told them that he waited hours for them.
“The actuations of five OPA employees are tantamount to grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official,” Nellas said.
He said the five OPA employees, who are still reporting for duty, have been given five days to answer the allegations hurled against them.
