OIC Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rodolfo Matusalem succeeded in avoiding controversial issues hounding him when he appeared at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Tuesday, August 14 but he may have dug himself into a hole when denied he had no disallowances whatsoever from the Commission on Audit.
Queried by Board Member Antonio Olaño if it was true that COA had disallowed some of the transactions involving him Matusalem answered that he had no disallowances whatsoever.
Matusalem has a number of disallowances including his salary and allowances, including reimbursements for cell cards since his appointment had not been validated by the Civil Service Commission from May, 2005.
At this point, however, Board Member Emmanuel Llaguno intervened saying that the query could be too personal and reminded his colleagues that Matusalem was invited merely to explain his programs.
Board Member Charie Pante was ready with the list of COA disallowances but was not able to confront Matusalem with the record because of Llaguno’s intervention.
Board members agreed to invite him again to shed light on controversies surrounding him, presumably including the long pending clamor of PENRO employees in Camarines Sur for his relief because of his alleged abusive and arrogant manner of running his office. Employees said Matusalem frequently reprimanded and used gutter language on those whom he suspected to be part of the move to have him relieved of his Camarines Sur post.
Even in explaining his programs, Matusalem was unimpressive and most members were dismayed that he could not exactly say what his office could do to protect the environment as he cited repeatedly lack of funds as the excuse and that monitoring was all he could do.
Matusalem’s temporary appointment expired on May 11, 2005 and had not been renewed by the Civil Service Commission but he continues to hold office and sign Free Patent Titles, contracts, and financial transitions, PENRO employees said.
A PENRO employee, Jaime Dungca, had even filed a case with the Ombudsman against Matusalem for Usurpation of Public Office or Authority, PENRO employees also said.
Since Matusalem’s denial of COA disallowances would appear in the minutes of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan he could be in for another legal problem.
