Degamo back as governor

CEBU, Philippines — Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is officially back as governor after the expiration of his 90-day preventive suspension issued by the Sandiganbayan and after securing a Temporary Restraining Order from the Court of Appeals.

Degamo was preventively suspended as a result of the second case filed by Board Member Jessica Villanueva with regards to the use of the calamity fund.

He was dismissed by the Ombudsman in connection with case filed by former board member Meilliemoore Saycon before the 2013 elections on the use of the intelligence fund in relation to the abandonment of the Aguinaldo Doctrine, but was able to secure a TRO restraining the DILG and the Ombudsman from carrying out the dismissal, dated January 11, 2018.

His lawyer, Richard Enojo, said the governor was maligned and persecuted, charged with a number of cases because of the withdrawal of the Special Allotment Release Order by the Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, even with the issuance the Notice of Cash Allocation on the 2012 calamity fund of P960 million, of which only 50 percent was disbursed.

Enojo belied statements made by 3rd district Rep. Arnie Teves that TROs can be bought saying he said he still believes in the rule of law. However, he said if that is the case Teves should buy an anti-TRO so Degamo cannot have a TRO. 

During the course of his suspension, Degamo would have surrendered but was advised against doing so by his lawyers.

Enojo said they expect more cases to be manipulated by the governor's critics because they cannot topple the political career of the governor and the only way to ease him out from the capitol is to file cases against him. And for as long as Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is still the ombudsman, they can expect more cases and more dismissals. They were hoping Morales will not last up to July 28 this year.

Upon retaking the Provincial Capitol yesterday, Degamo issued Executive Order No. 18-001 revoking all memoranda and orders issued by Vice Governor Edward Mark Macias while sitting as governor for 90 days.

Degamo stressed all actions made by Macias are deemed inoperable effective immediately and that all memoranda and orders issued by him which were affected by the issuances of Macias are also reactivated and shall remain in full force and effect until revoked.

EO No. 18-001 further stated all employees affected by the issuances of Macias shall return to their respective places of assignments in consonance to previous memos issued by him and that succeeding issuances will be made to further ensure efficient assignments of personnel and efficient government service.

Degamo's second order for the day was addressed to the PNP headed by Senior Superintendent Edwin Portento who was present during the assumption ceremony at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

He directed Portento to act on illegal gambling activities of persons who identify themselves as ushers for small town lottery but roam around looking for bets.

In a strongly-worded message, Degamo said he does not care even if these gambling activities are backed up by a congressman, adding many politicians are moving heaven and earth to remove him from the capitol because he is against their illegal activities. He said if some STL operations are indeed legal, they should be inside booths.

In his absence, Degamo said a lot of projects were affected, some were discontinued.

Degamo said he is a completely  different person upon his return. While listening and observing from a distance during his suspension, Degamo said he was able to reflect that he is too nice a person who some would tend to take too lightly.

Now that he has come back, he told the audience he will be nice to individuals who respect to each and do their respective work, but he will be bad to people who are disrespectful.

He also challenged Macias to run against him for governor in 2019 because he sensed the latter likes to be governor.

The governor said he was hurt when Macias changed the set-up of the personnel assignment at the Provincial Capitol because they had a verbal understanding that nothing would be changed during the 90-day period.

Macias had earlier explained it was a different scenario when the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of the governor effective December 19, 2017.  That is why Macias said he has to act on some concerns but made it clear he did not appoint job orders on his own.

Degamo said he saw on Facebook his key personnel given assignments that don't belong to them like sweeping the streets and this hurt him. He said it was so stressful seeing them do jobs that were not theirs.  (FREEMAN)