|
Friday, October 05, 2007
Guv suspends provincial engineer
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio has ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Provincial Engineer Juanito Macatuno, without pay, for alleged dishonesty and falsification of public documents.
Macatuno's suspension took effect last October 2 after Provincial Legal Officer Maria Elissa Velez questioned the engineer's "inaccurate" school credentials and eligibility filed in his 201 Personal Data Sheet (PDS).
Join forum on Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict on Estrada plunder case. Post comments here.
Velez wrote a letter to the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) in Manila requesting for an updated certification on the educational status of Macatuno.
The request was made despite a foregoing decision of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) dated January 3, 2001 saying Macatuno is not guilty of falsification of public documents.
Macatuno earlier submitted proof that he is a holder of a Civil Engineering degree from MLQU and a licensed civil engineer.
The late lawyer Benalfre Galang filed a similar case against Macatuno during the stint of Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid as governor.
During Thursday's press conference, Peter Paul Maglalang, lawyer for Macatuno, said the charges filed by the Panlilio administration has already been decided by the CSC in 2001, after an investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the case.
The NBI has considered the case closed and terminated the same year.
Maglalang said Panlilio failed to give Macatuno due process and instead placed him under preventive suspension.
The lawyer said Macatuno's school credentials are genuine and accurate as stated in his PDS file.
The governor, Maglalang also said, has no basis to suspend his client saying the same charges filed against the engineer were previously litigated and ruled with finality by the CSC.
Maglalang said "Panlilio's act is a clear mockery of the law," thereby disregarding the final decision executed by the constitutional body.
In a letter, Maglalang asked Panlilio to reinstate the engineer within 24 hours upon receiving their letter, adding they are thinking of filing counter charges.
He also urged the governor to apologize to Macatuno for the alleged humiliation and inconvenience his client suffered due to their "unjust action."
However, Panlilio said the suspension is not a punishment, but rather an opportunity for Macatuno to clear his name.
He also urged Macatuno to explain why he should not be dismissed for dishonesty and falsification of public documents.
Panlilio also created an administrative investigation committee composed of lawyers Vivian Dabu and Joseph Quiambao and Jesusa Goseco.
Macatuno put in his PDS that he was a graduate of MLQU in the year 1978 and has civil service eligibility after having passed the Professional Board Examinations for Civil Engineers sometime on November 21, 1978. He further indicated the place of examination as University of Sto. Tomas (UST).
Photocopies of Macatuno's diploma and certificate of eligibility are likewise part of his 201 file. All subsequent PDS documents he submitted dated March 31, 1982, February 16, 1989, and March 17, 1995 contained the same entries. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (October 5, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Workers' protest shuts down mining facility