Palace dismisses mayor's appeal for police deputation

MALACANANG dismissed the appeal of Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap to reverse the suspension order of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) on his administrative and operational control over the police in the city.

The appeal of Yap was dismissed by the Office of the President for his failure to pay the appeal fee.

The decision was penned by Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. by authority of President Benigno Aquino III on October 17, 2012.

The decision stated that in his petition for review, Yap seeks to reverse and set aside the resolution of the Napolcom dated July 15, 2011 suspending his administrative control and operational supervision over the Escalante City Police station.

It also stated that on October 5, 2011, the Office of the President issued an order, among other things, for the petitioner to pay the appeal fee.

A copy was received by petitioner on October 19, 2011 and to date the petitioner has not paid the appeal fee, the document stated.

Ochoa, in his decision, said: "It is to be emphasized that appeal is not a right but a mere statutory privilege and, in adherence to this principle, an appeal must be exercised strictly in accordance with the provision set by the law."

He said that Section 8 of Administrative Order 22, series of 2011 provides that failure to comply with any of the requirements regarding the payment of the appeal fee shall be sufficient ground for the dismissal of the appeal.

Earlier, the Napolcom issued the suspension order on Yap for his alleged support to the New People's Army.

Sun.Star Bacolod tried to contact Yap through his mobile phone but to no avail. (TDE)