DOCUMENTS found buried at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail in Initao on Wednesday, July 2, are “valueless papers,” according to former legal officer of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol, Atty. Neil Pacana.

The discovery yesterday had caused public concern.

In a press conference held today, July 3, both Pacana and former Provincial Administrator John Venice Ladaga clarified that all the unearthed documents are indeed valueless and date back 10 to 20 years.

Pacana emphasized that all buried documents were carefully scanned and soft copies are available for future purposes.

The former legal officer also explained that they could not burn the documents due to the Clean Air Act, in addition to lacking archive space.

“Wala mi archiving facility, wala mi bodega,” said Pacana.

BURIED DOCS. Documents, identified on Thursday, July 3, by former provincial administrator John Venice Ladaga and former legal officer Atty. Neil Pacana as scanned excess files with soft copies, were unearthed from the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail in Initao last night, July 2. Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

Meanwhile, Ladaga reiterated that former Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia was unaware of the buried documents.

The individuals who knew about them were Human Resources Department head, Atty. Joy Matteo-Lood, former head of the Provincial Jail, Roy Bahian, and Engineering head Frisco Valmoria.

Ladaga emphasized that the documents were not financial records.

Instead, they were personnel files, such as file 201, notices of salary adjustments, receipts for certificates of employment and attendance during flag raisings.

“The decision of the HR is on good faith, to address solution to practical problem, not to conceal information, not to destroy evidence,” said Ladaga.

Pacana insist that there was no anomaly regarding the buried documents, especially since the process occurred during office hours, was carried out by Capitol employees using Capitol resources, and took place on Capitol property.

He added that if there were any anomaly, both Unabia and former Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano possess hectares of land where they could have potentially burned those papers.

“Kung naa pay gitagoan nganong during office hours, used government facility and in government area. Di ni basta ibutang lang sa kilid-kilid it needs to be secured,” said Pacana.

Pacana said that there was no other facility where these documents could be disposed of except at the jail.

According to both Pacana and Ladaga, the 2021 and 2025 files found were excess salary adjustment documents.