Worker given five days to file affidavit

CEBU, Philippines - One of the Provincial Capitol employees allegedly caught preparing to use shabu inside a government office appeared yesterday and was given the right to file a counter-affidavit on the incident.

Lawyer Lito Astillero, head of the Committee on Discipline and Investigation, said they will file administrative and criminal charges against Cirilio “Jun-jun” Abrenica as well as Cyril Solita, who has yet to surface.

“I told the Secretariat to inform the two that there will be an investigation. If they would not appear, that is waivering their rights to appear and explain themselves,” Astillero told reporters yesterday.

And since Abrenica appeared, Astillero said they gave him five days to file a counter-affidavit starting Monday. They are now tracking down Solita, who, Abrenica said, brought the shabu.

The CODI head said the worst penalty Abrenica can face is dismissal from service. He has worked in the Capitol since March 2000.

Astillero further said that they also recommended preventive suspension against Abrenica. They will also turn over to the police the evidence found inside the Provincial Planning and Development Office, where the suspects were caught Thursday dawn.

Astillero said they have not yet identified the woman who was with Abrenica when they were caught inside PPDO allegedly preparing to use the drugs. But the lawyer further said that they no longer have any jurisdiction over the woman since she is not a Capitol employee.

Security camera footage, Astillero said, showed that Abrenica entered the Capitol at 11:40 p.m. after getting permission from security guards Rosalio Tigle and Roel Ilustrisimo.

The footage further showed that the guards chased Abrenica after they caught him and the woman inside PPDO.

Abrenica dropped a container with granule-like substance to distract the guards and allow him to escape. The woman was also able to sneak out and eventually escape.

Astillero said the guards will be replaced if it is proven that there was negligence on their part. (FREEMAN)