By CESAR JOLITO III
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has cleared Ma. Mina Pellejo, former Negros Occidental assistant provincial administrator and officer-in-charge of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP), of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty, citing lack of substantial evidence.
In a 15-page decision promulgated on January 12, the CSC modified the earlier penalty of dismissal imposed on Pellejo, reducing it to a three-month suspension for simple neglect of duty.
Pellejo was dismissed from government service in February 2022 after she was found guilty in connection with the reported P1.6-million budget overrun in NOCHP’s allocation for 2019.
Records showed the program incurred total expenditures amounting to P86.4 million that year.
However, the CSC ruled that the evidence on record failed to establish that Pellejo exercised direct control or discretion over determining the eligibility of NOCHP beneficiaries, or that she approved replenishment vouchers without the required supporting documents.
The commission further stressed that there was no proof she benefited personally from the alleged release of benefits to questionable or unverified members.
“The evidence presented does not demonstrate malversation, nor does it show misappropriation, conversion, consent, or culpable negligence on the part of the respondent,” the CSC said, dismissing the grave misconduct charge for lack of proof of corrupt motive or willful intent to violate the law.
On the charge of gross neglect of duty, the CSC cited jurisprudence requiring a clear reason to compel officials to conduct exhaustive re-examinations of documents they sign.
It found no instance where Pellejo approved anomalous vouchers or where invalid or illegal documents were submitted for her approval.
The prosecution, the commission added, failed to substantiate claims of illegitimate NOCHP benefits or Pellejo’s alleged failure to review documents.
Despite clearing her of the most serious accusations, the CSC held that Pellejo remains administratively liable for simple neglect of duty.
As NOCHP officer-in-charge, the commission said, she was duty-bound to exercise due diligence in managing and disbursing program funds. Her failure to ensure tighter financial oversight contributed to the budget overrun and warranted a lesser penalty.
“This budget overrun reflects a lack of stringent financial oversight and a failure to implement necessary controls to ensure that expenditures remained within the program’s allocated resources,” the decision stated.
In a statement, Pellejo welcomed the CSC’s ruling clearing her of grave administrative charges after nearly four years, calling it a form of vindication.
However, she said her “quest for justice continues,” noting that the appeal was only partially granted.
Pellejo maintained that NOCHP did not incur a budget deficit, a claim she said is supported by the records, and confirmed that she has filed a motion for partial reconsideration of the CSC decision./CJ, WDJ