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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Agency explains action on board member's dismissal case
By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified its involvement in the controversial dismissal order meted against Davao Oriental Board Member Ma. Consuelo Palma Gil.
DILG director Rodolfo Razul said they were just implementing a legitimate order from the Ombudsman through a memorandum circular, which ordered the agency to implement all existing orders of the Ombudsman regardless of an ongoing motion for reconsideration or a petition for review.
"We received a lawful order and it is imperative for us to follow it," Razul said.
Due to the Ombudsman memorandum, DILG Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar issued an order dated April 18 advising DILG Southern Mindanao and the Office of the Vice Governor of Davao Oriental to see to it that the Ombudsman dismissal order against Gil is enforced.
Andanar also ordered Gil from exercising her power and function as member of the Provincial Board.
A team from the DILG even visited Vice Governor Edgardo Lopez on May 8 to ensure the implementation of the dismissal order.
But in sudden turn of events, Andanar recalled his April 18 order with an advise that Gil may continue with her duties and functions.
Razul admitted that there was a misunderstanding that led to the fiasco.
He said though that they already sent a query to the Ombudsman to finally settle the issue.
The Provincial Board of Davao Oriental condemned the issuance of a memorandum by the DILG calling it as "hasty, erroneous and irregular."
The lawmakers said the DILG memorandum is merely procedural and could not affect the substantive rights, as it would be a violation of due process.
The Provincial Board said the issuance of a recall order "only proved that there was haste, irregularity and error in judgment in the issuance of an order by Andanar.
The Ombudsman dismissal order against Gil for allegedly hiring ghost employees became controversial due to the sudden involvement of the DILG.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 23, 2006 issue)
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