CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III defended the chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) from allegations of sexual harassment, saying he is a victim of envy.
Davide defended PDRRMO chief Baltazar Tribunalo who also faced accusations of reportedly receiving bribes from private firms.
“Ako dili ko mutuo (For me, I don’t believe it). I sense some malice there…he has my full faith and trust. And he’s one of the most hardworking employees. There are some who do not agree with the way Tribunalo leads them. Probably envious, and made them jealous. There’s really malice here,” Davide told reporters during Thursday’s press conference at the Capitol.
On Wednesday, the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC) received a complaint from a Capitol employee accusing Tribunalo of touching her behind, last June.
Both Tribunalo and the complainant met in a closed-door meeting with Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale on Wednesday. Magpale, who chairs the PWC, told reporters later that the complainant still does not know the next step to do.
She also said the PWC can issue a recommendation, whether or not to file charges against Tribunalo, only after the investigation is completed. But a day before the closed-door meeting, Tribunalo was also the subject of another controversy.
Capitol employees tipped several members of the media about a high-end flatscreen TV delivered to PDRRMO’s office and addressed to Tribunalo.
These employees claimed that it was a form of bribery made by private firms in exchange of fast-tracking environment-related permits from the provincial government of Cebu.
But Davide revealed yesterday that the TV set was purchased by PDRRMO as part of the disaster-response team’s plans to monitor danger zones in Cebu province.
“And then the TV, Tribunalo has long told me about that. They were used for monitoring disasters,” he said.
Tribunalo denied the accusations, saying these were nothing but manifestations of his subordinates who don’t agree with his leadership and management style.
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