DILG won’t file charges vs Erap

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need to file an administrative complaint against former Manila mayor Joseph Estrada for his alleged failure to turn over official city records to his successor Mayor Isko Moreno, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced yesterday.

A fact-finding investigation conducted by the DILG National Capital Region found that the city’s documents were endorsed by Estrada’s transition team to the DILG field office in Manila on June 28.

The DILG forwarded the documents to the new city administrator on July 2.

“We found no basis to file administrative charges against the former mayor. We have confirmed from a report submitted by our regional office that the required documents were endorsed by former city administrator Ericson Alcovendaz to Moreno’s transition team,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.

The endorsement of the documents to the DILG field office happened after the turnover ceremony set for June 28 did not push through due to the absence of Estrada’s transition team.

Alcovendaz, according to Malaya, instead endorsed the records to DILG-Manila director Rolynne Javier after the staff of the incoming secretary of Moreno refused to receive the documents.

“We validated the documents and the same were forwarded to the office of city administrator Felixberto Espiritu on July 2,” Malaya said.

While Estrada did not show up during the scheduled turnover of records at the city hall, Malayas said, “What is important is that the documents have been turned over to his successor.”

The DILG said Estrada issued Executive Order 7 dated April 1, creating a local governance transition team. 

Earlier, the DILG mulled the filing of charges against Estrada over his supposed negligence to turn over the city’s documents to Moreno’s administration.

Estrada welcomed the result of the DILG investigation.

“I’m happy that the truth came out. I am ready to face any charges against me if they have evidence,” Estrada said.