NEGROS Occidental's provincial accountant who is facing administrative charges will present two witnesses Tuesday at the resumption of a closed-door hearing of the case filed against her.
Lawyer Ariel Cuaycong, the prosecuting attorney, said it is now times for Merly Fortu, who was charged by Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez with grave misconduct and gross insubordination, to defend her side by presenting witnesses.
The prosecution has already presented its witnesses.
First district board member Nehemias de la Cruz, Provincial Budget Officer Percival Salado Jr. and Board Member Frederick Ko corroborated with the statements of Alvarez on the alleged raising of the voice of Fortu against Provincial Government officials in a meeting at the Governor's Office on July 1, 2010.
In that meeting, Fortu allegedly showed misconduct and disrespect for the governor and the members of the Provincial Board (PB).
Fortu, however, denied the charge but she has been put under a 60-day preventive suspension while her case is being heard.
Cuaycong said Fortu will present as her witnesses former Capitol employees lawyers Juliet Pasustento and Jose Cabalatungan.
The hearing will be conducted at the PB's session hall at the Old Provincial Capitol Building. (TED)