P’sinan jail warden dismissed over irregularities

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Gov. Victor Agbayani has dismissed the provincial jail warden for gross misconduct, gross neglect of duty, abuse of authority and violation of civil service rules after a recent surprise inspection of the detection center yielded 119 grams of shabu.

In a decision dated June 24, Agbayani said there was a "quantum of evidence" to hold retired Superintendent Felimon Doria administratively liable.

Sought for comment, Doria said, "Okay labat. Aliwa met ya kason involving moral turpitude (It’s okay. After all, it’s not a case involving moral turpitude)."

He said he will no longer file a motion for reconsideration although he is entitled to do so 15 days after July 1 when he received a copy of Agbayani’s decision.

Doria said he would rather keep to himself whatever rancor there is in his heart, adding that he does not regret serving as provincial jail warden for the past seven years.

However, he wondered why his case was immediately decided upon while those of others suspected of having a hand in illegal activities inside the jail are still being heard.

During their surprise inspection last May 27, a joint team of the governor’s office, the Special Operation Group and the police confiscated 119 grams of shabu and drug paraphernalia inside the jail.

Investigation showed that certain inmates were also given special treatment with their cells having air-conditioners, television sets, refrigerators and other amenities.

During a hearing last June 14, Doria confirmed his waiver of the right to counsel.

In his response dated June 8, Doria admitted that shabu and drug paraphernalia were indeed found inside the jail although he said he was not at all surprised about the inspection, claiming he helped plan it.

He said there was a secret meeting held in a residence in Barangay Maniboc here where the move to stop the drug trade in the provincial jail was discussed.

Doria said he had been in close coordination with agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Dagupan City about the problem.

But Agbayani said in his decision that if Doria could not contain the drug trade, he should have brought it to the attention of his immediate superior for proper action.

Agbayani added that the surprise inspection was planned and conducted at 3:30 p.m. of May 27 "without the knowledge and intervention" of Doria.

The governor said Doria committed another breach by allowing air-conditioners and other amenities inside the cells of certain inmates.

"While Doria claims that the permission he granted was merely for TV and electric fan, this is contrary to what was seen inside the jail," he said in his decision.

Doria’s retirement pay will be forfeited although he can get his earned leave credits, provincial administrator Virgilio Solis said.

The provincial jail is under the supervision of the provincial government which has allotted an annual budget of P45 million for it. It houses about 240 inmates.