Monday, October 06, 2008 Preliminary probe on Dabu's case set on By Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) regional office here has set the preliminary investigation on the administrative complaint filed against Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu by former casual employee and social services aide Roperlee Syquia on October 16.
CSC Regional Director Karin Zerna said on Friday that Dabu, through her legal counsel Maria Paz Duque, has filed with the CSC's Legal Department a "second motion for extension of time" last September 29.
Zerna said this will give Dabu 10 more days -- until October 9 -- to submit her written comment.
Dabu's written comment should have been filed last September 15, five days after the CSC's September 11 order for her to respond and file her comments.
The document (second motion for extension of time) obtained by Sun.Star Pampanga showed that Dabu had until September 29 to file her comments. It said: "the respondent's (Dabu) draft of the written comment has already been prepared, but needs more time as she is still collating and reviewing the documents that need to be attached to her Written Comment."
The motion prayed to the commission for a 10-day extension within which Dabu would file her response to Syquia?s complaints.
Zerna said the commission has granted the request, but has nevertheless issued to Dabu and her legal counsel the notice of preliminary investigation.
In the notice issued by CSC Hearing Officer Rosalinda Tanaliga-Oliva last October 2, Dabu was notified of the preliminary investigation set at the CSC Legal Services Division on October 16.
The notice also noted that "failure to appear on said hearing date despite due notice shall compel this office to proceed with the investigation ex parte and shall be deemed to waive the right to be present and submit evidence in (your) favor during the hearing."
On September 3, Syquia, in an affidavit, decried Dabu's alleged grave abuse of authority, dishonesty, violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Rules and Regulations and infringement of the Government Procurement Act.
In his affidavit, Syquia outlined the offenses committed by Dabu, particularly violating COA Circular 97-002 (4) (4.1.6) regarding cash advances, Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Act and the CSC's rules and regulations on multiple functions and appointments.
Syquia alleged in the affidavit that there were a number of times Dabu went against COA rules like the transfer of cash advances to a casual employee for use in an "irregular purpose" and the assignment of huge sums for procurement of various purchases used in photo exhibits, streamers and expensive medical equipment.
But Dabu denied Syquia's allegations, calling them "illogical and inconsistent."
Dabu said "it is in fact he (Syquia) who has committed numerous violations against the law by defying our requests for him to turn over to us documents related to his tasks at that time and for neglecting his other assignments during his tenure as a Capitol employee."
Dabu also belied Syquia's allegations of the transfer of funds for the projects assigned to Syquia.
Dabu further pointed out Syquia's failure to liquidate the cash advances given him. "That photo exhibit was where he said I gave him P50,000, he did not liquidate. No photos, no receipts, no liquidation. How can we reimburse that to the specific departments concerned?"
She also clarified that Syquia lost many of his assignments because of his incompetence and behavior, where she allegedly received complaints from barangay health and school officials. "He curses to them," Dabu said.
Dabu also refuted Syquia's accusations that she heads many of the Capitol's committees and local units as her multi-function roles.
The provincial administrator said: "that's not true. My function as provincial administrator and alter ego of the governor may have been unclear to him."
She explained that her post calls for her to administer and manage the day-to-day operations at the Capitol, but denied she has a hand in departments and units running the province's affairs."
