By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
Laoag
City—A former mayor in this city filed
administrative charges against the current chief of the Laoag City General
Hospital.
Former three-term Laoag mayor
Roger C. Fariñas charged LCGH chief Dr. Francis Manolito Dacuycuy for misusing
a government vehicle issued to the latter.
According to the charges of
the Mr. Fariñas, Dr. Dacuycuy used the government vehicle issued to him on May
20, 2014 to go to a local five-star hotel to gamble at its casino.
Mr. Fariñas said he
personally saw the LCGH chief inside the casino, specifically at the slot
machine area. The former mayor said he took photos of the doctor while on the
act of gambling.
Mr. Fariñas’
complaint-affidavit contained an attachment of a photo of a vehicle allegedly
issued to Dr. Dacuycuy.
The charges are for Dr.
Dacuycuy’s willful intent to violate the law or disregard established rules
pertaining to the official use of government-owned car and conduct prejudicial
to the best interest of the service for his frequent use of a government-owned
vehicle which has no direct relation to or connection with the performance of
his official duties as LCGH chief.
The affidavit of complaint
was notarized by Atty. Francisco Musni on May 23, 2014.
In line with this, the Ilocos
Norte Power Consumers Association (INCASSO) chaired by the former mayor
submitted the complaint to Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas asking her to conduct
an investigation on Dr. Dacuycuy.
Also attached in the
complaint was an observation report prepared by a Cherry Anne Agbayani and
noted by administrative officer Pacifico Agustin Jr. regarding the time and
place where the red-plate car driven by Dr. Dacuycuy parked.
Ms. Fariñas, for her part,
promised to investigate the matter and to get both sides in order to know what
really transpired.
The mayor said she cannot
divulge yet the explanations of Dr. Dacuycuy considering that the investigation
is still to be conducted.
She added that Dr. Dacuycuy
continues with his duties at the LCGH and has not filed an official leave.
Ms. Fariñas also said she
will ask for the footage of the CCTV camera at the casino.
Meanwhile, city administrator
Cipriano Hilarion “Perry” Martinez III also confirmed that the mayor already
received the complaint and she immediately issued a notice/memo for Dr. Dacuycuy
to comments regarding the complaint filed by the former mayor.
Mr. Martinez said the memo is
a part of the due process in the investigation to also hear the side of the
other party.
He added that the complaint
lodged against Dr. Dacuycuy has valid grounds about the use of his official
service vehicle.
Dr. Dacuycuy was given three
days to answer the complaint, after which the mayor will decide whether it
would be forwarded to the Disciplinary and Separation Board (DSB) for further
investigation.
Mr. Martinez said that if the
complaint will be forwarded, then the DSB will also conduct a preliminary
investigation.
He explained that the
complainant may or may not be invited during the investigation depending on the
DSB decision.
CSC’s take on the issue
The local Civil Service Commission (CSC), meanwhile stated that
they have no jurisdiction over the complaint filed against Dr. Dacuycuy.
Civil service officials
explained that Dr. Dacuycuy was hired at the LCGH as a contract of service
employee and the Office of the Mayor has the right to treat the issue.
City hall human resource
officer Julie Daquioag also confirmed that Dr. Dacuycuy is a contract of
service/contractual employee of the city hall and his post is renewed every 6
months.
The
Ilocos Times also learned that an executive
order or a memorandum circular coming from the Office of the President has
ordered public officials, including government employees, are not allowed to
enter more so play or gamble at casinos.
Former Land Transportation
Office chief Virginia Torres was earlier videotaped playing a slot machine at a
casino. She later retired from her post.
The
Ilocos Times tried to contact Dr. Dacuycuy
but was unavailable as of press time.
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