Councilor's admin raps vs late sec dismissed

THE Visayas Ombudsman has dismissed the administrative complaint filed by Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito against the late lawyer Nilo Alejandrino, former City Council secretary.

In its order dated May 8 and signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer 1 Luanne Ivy M. Cabatingan, Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago and Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol, it said the administrative complaint for gross misconduct, abuse of authority, gross insubordination, conduct unbecoming and unprofessional conduct was dismissed as a mere duplication of the administrative complaint that Distrito filed before and was already decided by the Office of the Vice Mayor of Bacolod City.

The conflict between Distrito and Alejandrino emanated from a change of address to lawyer Joselito Bayatan from City Legal Officer (CLO) to casual employee when Distrito invited the City Legal Officer to one of his committee hearings.

As the CLO usually sends his representative to public or committee hearings, Alejandrino put the name casual employee instead of Bayatan.

Distrito reacted and swooped to the office of Alejandrino. They argued until such time that insults and verbal exchanges became inevitable.

Distrito claimed Alejandrino threw a chair at him and insulted his
disability.

However, Alejandrino reasoned out that he did not throw the chair at the councilor but accidentally bumped it.

Distrito filed several administrative and criminal complaints against Alejandrino.

The administrative cases filed before the Office of the Vice Mayor were decided in favor of Distrito.

In the course of time, Alejandrino got sick and died last April 14, 2012. His family believes that his health deteriorated due to depression caused by his dismissal from service with the forfeiture of all his benefits.

Melba Alejandrino, the wife of the late secretary, has asserted that her husband has rendered faithful service to government for 24 years only to end up facing charges due to a mere argument. They vowed to fight for the cause. (Carla N. Canet)