Capitol looking into plaints vs provincial agriculturist

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Negros Occidental Provincial Legal Office (PLO) will probe several complaints, albeit done anonymously, against Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan for alleged irregularities in the use of gasoline allowance, fertilizer, rice, hybrid seed, and other supplies in his office.

Provincial Legal Officer Jose Ma. Valencia yesterday said at least three anonymous letters were furnished the PLO although they were not addressed to his office.

He said the letters were addressed to the Provincial Board and to various government agencies such as the Department of Justice and even to the Office of the President.

Although the PLO has no "administrative investigation powers" on the basis of unsigned complaint letters, his office will still look into the complaints seriously and find ways on how to address them without violating the constitutional rights of Tabianan, said Valencia.

"We also have to do something to put an end to these complaints … the letters have become persistent … we might be charged of neglecting it, especially that it supposedly concerns government funds," he said, adding that his office, as disciplining authority, might be held liable for ignoring the case.

Valencia also surmised that the letters were just made to destroy Tabianan's integrity so the PLO would also wanted to address them because the "governor should be apprised what to do" on matters that involved complaints against government funds.

He challenged the complainant/s to come out in the open, and not hide under a pseudonym of "Johnny dela Cruz" with address of Brgy. Bato in Sagay City that was already verified to be non-existent.

"If the complainants are really concerned about public welfare, they should not hide under anonymous letters," Valencia said.

As it is now, the PLO could not summon Tabianan because he can always invoke his right against self-incrimination, or anyone mentioned in the letters, lest the office could be accused of a "fishing expedition," he said.

"How can we conduct an investigation because under the right to due process there must be a valid complaint? Under our power to conduct administrative investigation, there has to be a clear compliance with the basic requirement on due process which is the right to be presumed innocent. It might set a very bad precedent that what we are doing is a fishing expedition," Valencia explained.

Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, for his part, said the PB does not tolerate corruption, but a formal complaint should be submitted to give it enough basis to act on the matter. (FREEMAN)