Prov'l employee seeks dismissal of complaint over 'missing rice'
BACOLOD CITY -- Panaad Nursery Supervisor Romulo Sibolboro prayed for the dismissal of administrative complaint filed against him before the Provincial Legal Office for lack of basis and evidences.
In his counter-affidavit, Sibolboro said the rice intended for the Food-for-Work program of the Negros Occidental provincial government is all accounted for and the claims are just malicious and baseless allegations of some individuals who are out to destroy him and his employment in the provincial government.
He presented to the investigating body the records justifying every sack of rice taken out from the "bodega" is fully accounted and documented.
The issue became controversial after Governor Isidro Zayco received reports on missing sacks of rice and immediately ordered the police investigation through Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco. The result came out stating that 396.79 sacks of rice valued at about P357,111 at the Panaad warehouse in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City, could not be accounted for or missing. The police investigator also recommended to the governor the filing of administrative case and criminal case of qualified theft to Sibolboro.
Provincial Legal Office investigating officer Ernie Magaspag promised to finish the investigation the soonest time possible and will issue a resolution before the end of the month. His office will countercheck all the documents presented by Sibolboro for proper disposition.
The Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) used the rice as payment for work rendered by villagers for reforestation and mangrove restoration.