Dep’t head files raps
versus mayor at CSC
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

A former department head of the Bacolod City Planning and Development Office filed a complaint for constructive dismissal against Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella and the City of Bacolod before the Civil Service Commission yesterday, saying that her transfer to another office is illegal and motivated by politics.

Mary Jean Ramos said that on August 28, she received a memorandum from City Administrator Rolando Villamor informing her of her transfer as department head of the CPDO to one of the offices of Economic Enterprise, which is the creation of a mere ordinance and not a department head position.

Ramos, a certified public accountant, and the wife of former Councilor Dindo Ramos, was appointed by the former Mayor Evelio Leonardia on February 16 as department head of the CPDO and her appointment was concurred in by the City Council of Bacolod City.

3 also face charges
for ‘grease money’
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The National Bureau of Investigation filed charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Law before the City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday against an electrical inspector of the Office of the Building Official and two others after being caught in the of act of receiving grease money during an entrapment operation Wednesday at the Bacolod City Government Center.

NBI Investigator Syrus Aluzan said bribery charges were filed against Peter Plantillo who received marked money from one of the contractors, as well as job order casual John Navales and Gilbert Martinez, who were with him when the entrapment operation was conducted.

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella has directed City Legal Officer Sarah Villamor to investigate the incident involving the two personnel of the OBO.

COA rules in favor of
Ayala with finality
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Commission on Audit has affirmed with finality its approval of the sale and lease by the Negros Occidental provincial government of its 7.7-hectare property in Bacolod City to AyalaLand Inc., and dismissed a motion for reconsideration filed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. for lack of merit.

A copy of the Aug. 14, 2013 decision of the COA affirming its Sept. 21, 2012 ruling, signed by COA Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido Tan and commissioners Heidi Mendoza and Rowena Guanzon, was released to the media by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday.

Marañon said the COA decision with finality is an affirmation that the awarding of the sale and lease of the property to ALI by the provincial government was according to law.