VICTORIAS Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez has ordered the City Human Resource Office to investigate the employees involved in the alleged drinking spree with personnel from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) last July 15.

"We have also asked our Human Resource Office to look into the matter (because) we do not tolerate unprofessional acts, especially during official business," Benitez said yesterday, August 9.

The case stemmed from the show cause order issued to five employees of OPA for allegedly having a drinking session while on official travel.

A formal complaint for misuse of government property and grave misconduct was filed by a Capitol employee, a driver, who serviced them while on official travel to Victorias City on July 15.

The complainant claimed that he waited for the respondents until 8 p.m. but was later informed that they were at a restaurant allegedly having a drinking session.

The senior employee allegedly uttered bad words against the driver when he informed them that he waited for them, Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said.

Benitez said he has already discussed with the concerned individuals from the City Agriculture Office "to know their side and to maintain impartiality."

"Victorias City has an Administrative Investigation Committee composed of me, the city administrator as well as the city legal and human resource officer which was created by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 7," he pointed out.

The mayor added “it is one for the first 14 EOs I signed on June 30, 2022 because precisely we want to be capacitated to address matters like this pursuant to my administration's thrust of a professional and disciplined local government unit.”*