"Explain in the proper venue."
This was the advice of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to Herminigildo Basilio, Agriculturist 1, who was dismissed from the public service due to the missing 789 sacks of fertilizer at the warehouse of the Rice Processing Center in Tabunan, Bago City.
"Instead of explaining it to the media, he should explain it to the proper venue," Lacson said.
The governor said Basilio can always file a motion for reconsideration with the Civil Service Commission.
Asked if the OPA division head who was pointed out by Basilio as the one who ordered him to accept the delivery of the fertilizer, Lacson said, "If you notice that almost all the cases are administrative."
"We don't really want to file criminal cases against an individual," he added.
As to the resigned OPA division head, Lacson said he was "not within the reach anymore of the province."
Basilio, in a statement, claimed he was made a "scapegoat" over the missing sacks of fertilizer at the RPC.
"I strongly decry my dismissal from service for grave charges without any evidentiary support," he said.
Basilio is a regular employee at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
He said that he thoroughly explained his side, supported with documentary evidence, in his reply to the show-cause order issued to him.
Basilio said he also provided the names of persons who should be included in the investigation.
He was dismissed from government service for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, and malversation of public funds or property.
His dismissal took effect on Aug. 14.*