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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Capitol workers risk job loss for misusing chief’s signature
By Minerva B. Gerodias
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
SOME 100 Capitol employees are in trouble for allegedly using the scanned signature of the Human Resource Division chief to get loans.
These employees applied for loans with the CFI Cooperative, to be charged against their leave credits, and made it appear that division chief Noli Valencia had certified they had enough cash-convertible leave days to qualify.
Valencia’s certification is required of all loan applicants.
The employees allegedly computer-scanned Valencia’s signature to come up with a certification.
“They forged the signature so that they can obtain a loan from CFI. They made it appear they had 45 days’ leave credits, when they had only a few days left or none at all,” said Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia said.
This is tantamount to dishonesty and those proven guilty will be dismissed, even if Capitol operations might be affected considering the number of those involved, he said.
The racket was discovered because of a fake memorandum supposedly issued by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia that Capitol’s working hours were shortened because of the transport strike last Dec. 2.
The governor’s signature was also scanned and used in the memorandum to make it appear genuine.
The investigation on the fake memorandum led to the discovery of the bigger racket.
Pablo John said the governor has created a committee to look into the matter and how long this has been going on.
The governor expects results during their regular department heads and consultants’ meeting on Monday.
The committee, which is tasked to investigate misdemeanors and violations of employees, is composed of Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin, consultant on labor and employment Manolette Dinsay, consultant on security Byron Garcia and the department heads of the employees being investigated.
The investigation is ongoing. If prima facie evidence is found to proceed with an administrative investigation, the employees will be preventively suspended.
“The governor is serious about this because we can’t tolerate that kind of act.
Bisan moingon pa sila nga way nawala nga kwarta sa province, but the very act of dishonesty is a violation of the civil service rules and Code of Conduct and Ethics for Public Officials and Employees. Definitely if they are found guilty, there will be dismissals. The maximum penalty will be imposed because this involves dishonesty,” Pablo John said.
Aside from their own investigation, the Capitol will also use the CFI investigation report in the administrative case against these employees.
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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