Due process delays resolution of Capitol's missing rice issue
BACOLOD CITY – The promise of finishing the investigation on the missing rice issue as early as September by the Provincial Legal Office has never been realized because of "due process".
Governor Isidro Zayco said he understands the job of the Provincial Legal Office through investigating officer Atty. Ernie Magaspag that there are procedures to be followed under the umbrella of due process of law.
But the governor expects Magaspag to submit his report and resolution the soonest time possible.
The issue became controversial after Governor Zayco received reports of missing sacks of rice at the bodega located at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Immediately Zayco ordered the police investigation headed by PNP 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 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 Panaad Nursery Supervisor Romulo Sibolboro.
Provincial Legal Office spearheaded the investigation upon the memorandum issued by the governor.
Sibolboro is the subject of investigation because he was the one holding the key of the bodega.
Later he submitted his reply to the PLO's investigating body praying for the dismissal of administrative complaint filed against him for lack of basis and evidences.
Sibolboro said in his counter-affidavit 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.
Atty. Magaspag said he will countercheck all the documents presented by Sibolboro at the same time conduct an ocular inspection in the bodega for proper disposition but until this time the case is still pending.