BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has approved the dismissal of Department of Public Services (DPS) head Ramel Palalon who was found guilty of gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said Tuesday, May 2, the mayor approved the dismissal of Palalon from the service effective immediately.
He said they served the order on April 27, 2023, to the legal counsel of Palalon.
A show-cause order was earlier issued against Palanon and a regular driver at DPS for alleged irregularities in the use of fuel in October 2022.
The investigation was conducted by the CLO, while the investigation is ongoing, Ting said, Palalon and his driver were suspended for a month.
He said Palalon can still appeal his dismissal with the Office of the City Mayor and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), but will no longer be allowed to work in the city government.
He added that the mayor will also appoint a new officer-in-charge at the DPS.
Ting noted that they recommended the dismissal of Palalon after he failed to justify the trip tickets and gasoline receipts he issued for the alleged "unserviceable" heavy equipment of the city.
Palalon could not be reached for comment as of press time.*