The board of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative will appeal the decision of the National Labor Relations Commission in Bacolod City ordering the reinstatement of Sulpicio Lagarde as general manager of the cooperative, Arnel Lapore, Ceneco president, said yesterday.

Lapore said that during their special meeting yesterday afternoon, the board agreed to reinstate Lagarde through payroll, pending their appeal to be filed before the NLRC in Cebu within 10 days.

Lagarde will be included in the payroll although he will not be required to report back to work.

The board will appeal for a review of the decision of the labor arbiter, the judgment, award, damages, back wages, and finding of facts, Lapore said.

Of the nine members of the board who were all present yesterday, the six who voted for the appeal and reinstatement on the payroll were Lapore, Vicente Tan, Robert Javellana, Paul Lizares, Joyce Martha Cuenca and Michael Maravilla.

Dwight Carbon and Jojit Yap, abstained from the voting, while Edward Gasambelo objected, Lapore said.

Lapore said that the grounds for dismissing Lagarde was loss of trust and confidence.

“For him to be reinstated, which has already created a strained relation, is not healthy for Ceneco, for the board, and even the personnel,” Lapore said.

Meanwhile, Chuchie Destriza will continue to function as OIC general manager, pending the appeal of the board, Lapore said.

Mac Lord Zafra, legal counsel of Lagarde, meanwhile, said that the board has the right to appeal within 10 days after receipt of the order before the NLRC commission.

The board received the copy of the decision on Thursday, Lapore said.

On his part, Lagarde said that he is vindicated. “Since the start, I have been saying that I am not guilty of anything, that I have been innocent of all these accusation,” he said.

“I am willing, able, capable and enthusiastic to return,” Lagarde said.

NLRC Bacolod Labor Arbiter Henry Tañoso ordered Ceneco and its board members, who approved the resolution terminating Lagarde, to pay him P2,065,42.37 in back-wages, 13th month pay, moral and exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.

Lagarde was terminated on Nov. 27, 2014.*SGG

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