Friday, October 10, 2008 Sacked quarrymen demand 'anomaly' probe findings
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Dismissed members of the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas) are demanding the findings of the investigation conducted by the Capitol on alleged quarry anomalies that resulted in the demotion of some quarry supervisors three months ago.
According to Eduard de Leon, they are now, more than ever, concerned with the results of the investigation, which seemed to "have been shelved" by Governor Eddie Panlilio and Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.
"The investigation that Dabu said, where is that now? It's clear that they can't expose any anomalies. They demoted us and it's natural that we protest because there was no due process and until now, they haven't done anything," he said.
The sacked Balas members are demanding the release of the results of the investigation to once and for all clear the names of the Balas members allegedly being investigated.
In previous interviews, Dabu pointed to De Leon, Filologo Rodriguez, and Alex Pineda as among those being investigated.
"We have already been terminated and they still have not gotten results. It's making us think that there are no anomalies after all," De Leon said.
He also dared Dabu to show the complaints related to quarry monitoring in Minalin where the three Balas leaders allegedly had something to do with the alleged irregularities.
"They're quiet now about the anomaly issue. If they are focusing on quarry, why is it that -- even with us gone -- collections are still low?" De Leon said.
On Thursday, Dabu said the investigation team led by Human Resources Manager Jesusa Goseco has opted to discontinue the investigation on quarry anomalies because the services of the Balas members concerned have already been terminated.
"I am not part of the investigation committee. But the investigation has been conducted but it has not reached a final conclusion because the protesters were not attending the investigation," Dabu said.
But De Leon said that they should have been investigated first before being demoted. Their demotion led to the protest that has been raging for almost 64 days at the Arnedo Park.
"This is all the problem of Atty. Dabu and the governor since they have allowed the problem to escalate," he added. (IOF)
