By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—After more than two years, the Laoag City government’s Disciplinary and Separation Board (DBS) found Laoag City Gen. Hospital’s (LCGH) chief Dr. Francis Manolito Dacuycuy “guilty of violating reasonable office rules and regulations.”
As such, the DBS penalized Mr. Dacuycuy with “reprimand with a warning that future commission of same or similar offense shall be dealt with more severely.”
The complaint was filed by former Laoag mayor Roger C. Fariñas on May 23, 2014. The said complaint was for “grave misconduct.”
The said complaint stated that Mr. Dacuycuy frequently used government-owned vehicles for reasons with no direct connection to his duties as LCGH chief.
The former mayor also stressed that he personally saw Mr. Dacuycuy inside the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel casino around that time.
The complaint was forwarded to the DBS for investigation on June 23 and 30, 2014. Mr. Dacuycuy, through his legal counsel Atty. Sandro Marie Obra, immediately filed a motion to dismiss also on June 30, 2014.
A formal charge however was made on December 9, 2014. The charge was for administrative case for violation of reasonable office rules and regulations. It specifically pointed out Mr. Dacuycuy’s travel to Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel without “official business pass” from the Laoag mayor.
In response, Mr. Dacuycuy reasoned that he had no intention to violate the rules or disregard authority; he stressed that his perceived omission was done in “good faith.”
After a formal investigation and oral arguments, the DBS found Mr. Dacuycuy guilty on August 31, 2016. The penalty prescribed was “reprimand”.
Mr. Dacuycuy, in reaction to the decision, thanked the DBS for finally resolving the case. He added that he “welcomes and accepts” the decision.
He, however, reiterated his defense that he was at the hotel for an “official business.” He explained that he went there then to personally meet with the hotel’s new general manager. He further said that he also followed up the proposal then for annual physical examinations for Philippine Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) employees at the LCGH.
He also admitted though that while waiting, he went to the casino where the former mayor saw him and even took a photo of him there.
Mr. Dacuycuy noted that government employees should not be in any gambling establishments. He, however, added that the ban should also include cockfighting arenas and other gambling places.
22 LC agri employees also ‘admonished’
Meanwhile, 22 city agriculture office employees, including city agriculture officer Marilyn Martin, were also “admonished” and “sternly warned” by the DBS. It added that a repeat of the offense will be dealt with “more severely.”
The said employees were caught “out of post” on July 19, 2016. At that time, the said employees attended the birthday celebration of their former boss, Oscar Recta, at Brgy. Gabu in this city.