An executive assistant of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has been issued a show cause order to explain the unauthorized withdrawal and repair of office furniture, while another EA has been relieved of his post as provincial sports coordinator.
Executive Assistant IV Francis Velez was issued a show cause order to explain why he withdrew furniture, which included chairs and sofas, from the Office of the Governor for repair without obtaining prior authorization from the governor, Acting Provincial Administrator Alberto Nellas Jr. confirmed on Friday, July 5.
This action was also taken without following the procurement process outlined in Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, he said.
The purchase request was issued without the prior authorization of the governor for the repairs amounting to P129,200, Nellas said.
“No bidding was conducted and it was overpriced based on our comparative research on the prevailing market price”, he added.
When the governor found out the repair payment was stopped, the provincial government cannot pay the supplier because the procurement was irregular, Nellas said.
Velez was directed to explain in writing why no criminal, civil and administrative cases should be filed against him. He has until Monday to file his answer, Nellas said.
Velez, when reached by the media, refused to comment on the show cause order on Friday.
Velez is a political appointee who operates under the trust and confidence of the governor, so he does not have to go through the regular administrative process, Nellas said.
Meanwhile, Executive Assistant IV, Anthony Carlos Agustin, who has gone on indefinite leave, has been relieved as Provincial Sports Coordinator, Nellas also confirmed.
The governor has designated Agustin liaison officer between Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, Nellas added.
“It is a position of trust and confidence, it is the prerogative of the governor,” Nellas said, when asked for the reason for Lacson’s move.
Nellas said Agustin remains an EA IV
The governor presides over the Sports Division in the absence of a sports coordinator, he added.
The monthly salary of an Executive Assistant IV is P78,662, a Capitol source said.*
