Governor Degamo in 90-day suspension; Vice Governor Macias is acting governor

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Negros Oriental Vice Governor Edward Mark Macias yesterday officially assumed the post of acting governor, following the implementation of the 90-day preventive suspension on Governor Roel Degamo.

Regional Director Rene Burdeos of the Department of Interior and Local Government-7 served the suspension order on Degamo, as witnessed by DILG provincial head Dennis Quiñones, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Director, Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento, and the head of the legal division of DILG-7.

The preventive suspension order was received by assistant provincial administrator Florian Pinili at 7:45 a.m. at Degamo’s office at the Capitol. Pinili emphasized to the public that it was only a preventive suspension, not a penalty, but part of the process when an information is filed before the Sandiganbayan.

In the order, the Sandiganbayan stated that, under the anti-graft law, it is mandatory to the place the accused under preventive suspension when the validity of the information is positively determined.

This refers to the criminal case filed by June Vincent Gaudan against Degamo for alleged malversation of public funds, through falsification, relative to the P460 million calamity fund.

Degamo’s legal counsel Richard Enojo said the suspension did not surprise them because a preventive suspension is a matter of course, while investigation of the case is going on. Degamo, upon hearing the serving of the order, said he will accept it, even if it is against his will, because this is part of the process and that he still believes in the rule of law.

The governor’s legal team, for its part, already petitioned the Supreme Court for the reversal of the Sandiganbayan order through a certiorari.

Macias, for his part, took his oath as acting governor before Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio Jr., while Provincial Board Member Mariant Escaño Villegas who also took her oath as acting vice governor, both for a 90-day period.

Macias’ first order of business is to inform everyone in the provincial government, the department heads, local government units, and mayors that he has assumed as acting governor starting today.

He said that, on Monday, he will gather all Capitol officials for a meeting to present to them what he intends to do in the next 90 days, adding that delivery of basic services in the province must continue. He said he wanted to help find solutions and not to be adding to the problems of the provincial government.

Macias also confirmed he met with Degamo before the shakeup, saying he wanted a smooth transition, and informed the governor about his plans, and his need for cooperation from everybody in the Capitol. On the ongoing projects, the acting governor also assured Degamo that he will continue and monitor the implementation of these.

Degamo, in his speech during the opening of the three-day Buglasan Farm and Livestock Congress yesterday, urged the Capitol employees and the Negrenses to support Macias throughout the period of his preventive suspension.

Meanwhile, acting vice governor Villegas said she will support Macias in carrying out the projects, and that shw will continue holding a caucus with the PB members for a smooth deliberation of issues and proposed laws for the benefit of all Negrenses. (FREEMAN)