By Paulo Loreto Lim

According to Provincial Accountant Merly Fortu, the investigation into alleged “ghost employees” at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol is a “tedious” process that involves working weekends.
“It’s a very tedious matter because it involves 645 JOs (job order casual employees),” she said. “It adds work because we have to [review] after 5:00 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays.”
Fortu says results are expected by March 15.
When asked about the issue last month, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said, “I would like to believe that all employees of the Provincial Board are indeed working for their respective offices.”
“If it is proven that there are indeed ghost employees, attention should be called and appropriate action should be taken,” he added.
The inventory was initially called by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. At the time, Fortu insisted the process is routine and was not invoked in response to allegations of “ghost employees” at the Capitol./WDJ