UNTIL now, I have not heard that Gov. Hilario Davide III has imposed disciplinary action against Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino and Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) chief Jone Sigfred Sepe in connection with that questionable “donation” of Provincial Government-owned culverts to a high-end subdivision where Tolentino is residing.
Tolentino and Sepe made the “donation” at their own level without informing the governor or asking for an authority from the Provincial Board and clearance from the Commission on Audit (COA). They thus usurped the function of the governor. Upon learning of it, Davide admitted he was disappointed and upset by what his subordinates did.
As I expected, the governor was only up to expressing his disgust. Now I am beginning to question his wisdom and leadership. He is a kind person but does not care about the said wrongdoings. Morag pahoy nga wala’y pakialam.
When Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Baltazar Tribunalo, who was then designated as officer-in-charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), was accused of soliciting appliances from a quarry operator, the governor never lifted a finger to investigate it. When Tribunalo was accused of sexually harassing a female Penro employee, Davide ignored the complaint, saying it was politically motivated. Worse, he even made fun of the complainant by saying “disgrasyada man nang bayhana.”
Does Junjun’s inaction mean leniency or is this a sign of weak leadership?
u2022••
What’s this I heard that Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief Rene Catan is holding on to his post despite the reinstatement of the former chief, Cristina Giango? She was reinstated after she was cleared in her administrative case.
Giango was ordered dismissed by the ombudsman for grave misconduct together with three other Capitol department heads who were members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in the anomalous construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) during Gov. Gwen Garcia’s administration. They appealed their dismissal to the Court of Appeals, which downgraded the anti-graft body’s decision to simple misconduct.
But Catan refused to relinquish his post and continued signing some documents. Before he assumed office, Catan signed an undertaking.
Paragraph 6 of his “Deed of Undertaking” says; “Should I be appointed to the position vacated by Dr. Cristina Giango, I hereby undertake to, a) vacate the aforesaid position in the event of Dr. Cristina Giango’s reinstatement; b) accept that I could no longer be entitled to the benefits and allowances to the position in the event of Giango’s reinstatement; c) turn over all pending tasks and responsibilities appurtenant to the position; d) go back to my former position after the proper turn over of the tasks and responsibilities; and e) do whatever is deemed necessary to give effect to the said reinstatement.”
But yesterday, my source told me that Gov. Davide designated Giango as provincial nurse because he wants Catan to remain in his position. Isn’t it a demotion for Giango? Where is fairness here?