Embattled head of the provincial agriculture’s office Larry Pamugas has vowed to fight injustice at all cost following a suspension order issued and signed by the governor of the province.
In a Bisaya statement he posted on Facebook, Pamugas said he would not allow evil to triumph at the expense of his innocence.
“Nail me on the cross, throw stones at me, destroy my family’s reputation, beat me up, mock me, keep me away from my friends, do whatever you want to do… but don’t hide your evil deeds that you hid by issuing Executive Orders that I questioned in our court of justice,” Pamugas said without naming names.
Pamugas came under fire after he was accused of corruption by a group called OGAR or Office of Government Accountability and Review which was created via an executive order signed by Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado.
“Because of their evil intentions, they accused me of being involved in corruption,” he said in his FB post.
He lamented the trial by publicity levelled against him through social media projecting him as bad person.
Pamugas bared that those behind the demolition job wanted him to become a traitor to truth.
Why did they do this? Because they wanted to make me a Judas Iscariot, who was given “thirty pieces of silver” as a reward for my work, my reputation and my character – if there is anything left of it – and even a reward for the lies and false truths that they wanted me to say using my mouth, when in fact the truth, according to the saying, is what will give us salvation, Pamugas said.
According to sources, feelers from the camp of Aumentado had been sent to Pamugas pressuring him to execute an affidavit in order to pin down former governor Art Yap.
“They are those who pretend to be legitimate by issuing executive orders that they know they cannot stand up to judicial scrutiny, and there is a possibility that they will invoke the presumption of regularity in their action but without a clear basis for legality,” Pamugas said.
He said that in his years of public service he has not made any enemies because all he did was to serve the people of Bohol.
“…but they made me a villain in the eyes of the Boholanos whom I swore to serve with all my knowledge and capacity without fear and with justice. At this point, I am very hurt,” he said.
Pamugas admitted there were times he thought of “sacrificing truth” by giving in to the wishes of his OGAR tormentors and saving his reputation.
But he said there is only one path to follow – that is to fight evil and injustice at all cost, adding that he would wage this battle without fear.
“I am not afraid because I did nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide,” Pamugas said.
“I am sure that our fight is good – not on social media where there is no value for ‘due process’.”
Pamugas concluded his post: “I rely on justice as my salvation and truth as my hope…”
BACKGROUND
The head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Bohol is facing administrative charges for allegedly receiving material and financial benefits from a rice program initiated by Governor Arthur Yap.
Dr. Pamugas, who is also the provincial action officer of the ART 160 Program, was issued a Notice of Charge by Leoncio Evasco Jr., chairman of the Office of Governance Accountability and Review (OGAR), last Friday.
According to OGAR, Pamugas violated the Civil Service Law and Rules and committed an act punishable under the Anti-Graft Law when he (a) received rice seed as a “beneficiary” and (b) bought majority of the rice bran product from the program.
OGAR said that Pamugas took advantage of his position and intentionally and unlawfully gained direct pecuniary interest from the program, which was meant to help farmers affected by drought and pest infestation.
The ART 160 Program, which stands for Accelerated Rice Technology for 160 days, aims to produce high-quality rice seeds using hybrid varieties and modern technology.
Pamugas has denied receiving a copy of the charges against him and said he is ready to face them. He also claimed that he did not benefit from the program but rather helped distribute rice seeds to farmers who needed them.
ASKED TO FILE ANSWER
Pamugas has been directed to file his answer in writing and under oath within 10 days from receipt of a notice from Governor Aris Aumentado.
The notice was issued on February 23, 2023 as part of a preliminary investigation into a complaint filed against Pamugas for alleged gross misconduct.
According to the notice, copy of which has been circulating in the Internet, Pamugas was advised that he has the option to be assisted by counsel of his own choice and may opt to have a formal investigation.
In addition, Pamugas was ordered to be placed under preventive suspension for a period of 60 days counted from receipt of the notice.
The notice stated that the preventive suspension was imposed because “the charge involves Gross Misconduct and considering the respondent is occupying a position where he could exert undue influence or pressure on the witnesses and/or tamper with evidence.”
The notice did not specify the details of the accusation.
Pamugas could not be reached for comment as of press time.
CHANGE OF GUARDS
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) of Bohol has announced that its Assistant Provincial Agriculturist, Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, has been preventively suspended for 60 days by Governor Anstotle C. Aumentado for alleged grave misconduct and violations of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
According to a memorandum issued by Provincial Agriculturist Liza Migrino-Quirog on March 2, 2023, the OPA received a copy of a Notice of Charge against Dr. Pamugas on March 1, 2023.
The notice also carries a preventive suspension order that took effect on the same day that Dr. Pamugas received it.
The memorandum also stated that in order to avoid a hiatus in the discharge of the OPA’s services to the Boholano people, Quirog will assume the day-to-day supervision of all affairs of the office in relation to the implementation of its programs, projects, and activities.
Quirog also called for an urgent meeting with all division heads and section heads on March 2 at 8:15 am at her office for important guidance and announcements. She also ordered that all travels and activities inside and outside the capitol building be put on hold until after the meeting.
The OPA is responsible for providing technical assistance and support to farmers and fisherfolk in Bohol through various programs such as agricultural extension services, crop production and protection, livestock development, soil conservation and management.
No further details have been released regarding the charges against Dr. Pamugas or his response to them.
CABERTE ASSUMES OIC
In another order, acting Bohol governor Dionisio Victor Balite issued a memorandum assigning Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, an aunt of Gov. Aumentado who is currently on tour in the nation of Israel, as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA).
No details were released yet as to how Caberte would execute her dual functions following the suspension order on Pamugas.
According to Quirog, she has not received a copy of the memo.
She declined to comment when asked about Caberte, a fomer DTI assistant secretary, who has no background and experience in agriculture.