CATBALOGAN, Samar – The Project Manager of the Samar Island Biodiversity Project (SIBP) and current Superintendent of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) Herminigildo Jocson has resigned from his post, it was learned Friday evening.

Jocson informed Leyte Samar Daily Express that his move to re1sign was “just fair and proper as I don’t want the project to be affected by the series of demolition jobs hurled against me.” Jocson said.

Jocson stressed that the accusations hurled against him, of alleged corruption, harassment to employees, “lavish” travel to Manila, among others, were “baseless and fabricated,” and aimed to destroy his credibility.

During last Thursday’s Media Night cum press conference at the SIBP Conference Hall, Jocson explained to reporters that all his travels were for the benefit of the project and the Samare ños.

“Hindi ako naglalakwatsa lang sa mga travel ko. Kung tutuusin lugi pa nga ako doon sa ibinibigay na per diem because of my huge travel expenses, like gasolina ng service ko sa Manila, plane tickets, pagkain at iba pa. If there is a short excess, ‘yan ay kunting benefit na ng PM (project manager),” he said.

“Actually I have an idea of who is behind this Oust Jocson campaign. This person has close contacts and comrades inside the SIBP as they have easy access to all my transactions, including my per diems when I go travel,” he said.

The reporter tried several times to convince Jocson to identify those behind the alleged move to oust him but he declined.

But he hinted that a big-wig politician may be behind all these mess in the project.

Jocson, who admitted that he resigned as per the advice of his higher-ups in the regional office, said Regional Technical Director Manolito Ragub would replace him. Ragub will handle the SIBP until the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and Protected Area Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) could find a successor for Jocson.