ILOILO – The Iloilo provincial government is forming a fact-finding committee to investigate complaints filed against Public Information and Community Affairs Office (PICAO) chief Nereo Lujan over the latter’s social media posts critical of the Iloilo City Government.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is expected to issue an executive order creating a three-member committee tasked with determining whether sufficient grounds exist to pursue administrative charges against Lujan or dismiss the complaint outright.
The impending investigation follows the governor’s issuance of a show-cause order directing Lujan to respond to Iloilo City councilor Nene Dela Llana’s complaint.
Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion said the draft executive order has already been submitted to the Office of the Governor and is awaiting Defensor’s approval.
Once signed, the order will pave the way for the committee to convene and formally begin its investigation.
The committee will consist of three representatives from different departments of the provincial government.
Ventilacion declined to identify the prospective members, explaining that their appointments remain subject to the governor’s approval.
The panel will examine the circumstances surrounding Dela Llana’s complaint, evaluate Lujan’s response to the show-cause order, and gather evidence necessary to determine whether formal administrative proceedings are warranted.
Ventilacion said no specific deadline has been set for completing the fact-finding investigation, as its duration will depend largely on the witnesses and evidence presented by both the complainant and the respondent.
Following its investigation, the committee will submit its findings and recommendations to Defensor, who will determine the appropriate course of action.
“They will make a report and recommendation sa governor or sa disciplinary authority para kon ano ang paga-himuon moving forward,” Ventilacion explained.
The committee may recommend either the dismissal of the complaint for lack of sufficient evidence or the filing of formal administrative charges against Lujan.
Should the panel recommend formal charges, Defensor would subsequently constitute a separate investigation committee to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to hold Lujan administratively liable.
Ventilacion emphasized that the initial fact-finding process is intended to establish whether the complaint has enough factual basis to justify further administrative proceedings./PN
