The
directive, which was implemented by the Provincial Administrator upon receipt,
was stated in a two-page memorandum order dated March 21 released by the Office
of the Governor to the media Thursday.
A
team under the Provincial Legal Office has been tasked to conduct the
investigation and hearing.
“After
careful investigation of the allegations and evidence available and presented,
this office concludes that a prima facie evidence for administrative offenses
of grave misconduct/malversation of public funds exists against you,” Marañon
said.
The
governor added that “administrative charges of grave grave
misconduct/malversation of public funds warrant a preventive suspension in view
of the fact that the respondent exercises authority over the herein witnesses
and the entire Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) where other
evidence, testimonial or documentary, are available.”
“It
is therefore imperative that the witnesses, other testimonial and documentary
evidence, as well as the proceeding itself, be protected from whatever form of
influence from the respondent to give due course to a fair and impartial
investigation and hearing,” he further said in the order.
Marañon
also directed Tabianan to refrain from entering the premises of the Provincial
Capitol and any of its offices during the duration of his suspension, or from
doing acts that will influence the witnesses and the proceeding.
“To
reiterate, this is to give due course to a fair and impartial investigation and
hearing of your administrative case,” he told Tabianan.
In
November last year, Tabianan paid the amount of P299,000 spent for the
fertilizer project the OPA implemented in 2013, which was issued a notice of
disallowance by the Commission on Audit (COA).
After
he settled the amount, the COA issued another notice of disallowance to
Tabianan, involving the P239,805 purchase of various vegetable seeds.
The
first case involved the purchase of fertilizers worth P299,000 for the farmers
in Cauayan town on January 10, 2013.
COA
ordered Tabianan to return the amount after he failed to comply with the
required documents. (PNA)
