By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. confirmed yesterday he will accept the resignation of former Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) head, Engr. Igmedio Tabianan.
During a meeting with members of the media, Marañon said he has to accept Tabianan’s resignation, as he understands he does not want to work for the provincial government anymore.
The governor also stated Tabianan is entitled to receive his benefits, since he worked for the government for over 25 years.
Marañon also confirmed the hearing of Tabianan’s case on alleged grave misconduct and malversation of public funds is still under the Sandiganbayan.
Tabianan was earlier slapped with a 60-day preventive suspension over the allegations.
According to prosecuting attorney Ernie Magaspag, Tabianan is suspected of allowing Ariel Tuvilla, a subordinate at the OPA who was also suspended, to take half the salary of a certain Kenneth Abaring between July and November of 2016. It was also reported that Abaring was coerced not to report the incident to the Accounting Office.
Tabianan is also alleged to have tasked Rodney Batarilan with organizing the United Towards Organic Development (UTOD) Party-list in 2015, which has no function in his role at the OPA. His salary was also said to have been docked by Tuvilla.
Tabianan has since been replaced by Atty. Japhet Masculino./WDJ