NCCA exec under probe for fake documents

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is investigating a National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) executive director for allegedly falsifying his qualifications, which led to his appointment.

Executive director Rico Pableo Jr., appointed to the NCAA in March 2017, has been charged for serious dishonesty and falsification of official documents, the Inquirer learned.

Pableo, who is also a member of the NCCA board of commissioners, was employed at the Davao City Hall’s City Assessor’s Office, prior to being appointed to the NCCA post.

Senior gov’t position

According to the Department of Budget and Management’s website, an executive director III has a salary grade of 28, and earns a minimum of P137,195 monthly.

“Based on records, Pableo appears to have represented to have taken and passed the Career Service Professional Examination (CSPE) on April 3, 2003, in the Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. XI, Davao City,” the CSC Metro Manila director Judith Chicano said in a July 7 letter addressed to NCCA chair and National Artist Virgilio Almario.

However, Chicano said that upon checking, Pableo’s name was not on the official list of CSPE passers for 2003.

When Pableo requested the authentication of his civil service eligibility at the Integrated Records Management Office, CSC Central Office, the same found no name of Pableo in the list of examination passers.

Not in the master list

Also, the certificate which was presented for authentication bears a different code assigned by the commission for those who officially took and passed the CSPE on April 3, 2003, at CSC RO XI,” Chicano said in the letter.

Chicano then said that since Pableo’s certificate “appears to be spurious,” the CSC-NCR has considered the case subject for investigation.

In a phone interview, Chicano added that Pableo had been instructed to provide his comments regarding the allegation, but he has yet to respond.

However, Chicano also said it was very clear that Pableo’s name does not appear on the master list of passers for those who took the CSPE in 2003.

“We can validate that. If they are not in the master list, it is prima facie evidence that the certificate is spurious,” she said.

‘Very grave offense’

Chicano also said it was a letter from the NCCA requesting confirmation on Pableo’s civil service eligibility that triggered the investigation.

CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada said that faking eligibility is “a very grave offense” and may result in dismissal from the service with perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of benefits.