Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Vice governor censured by own legislative body, faces ouster
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
FOR the very first time in the history of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in the province of Iloilo, a Vice Governor who holds the highest position in the same body is censured in the strongest possible term.
Censure is synonymous to reprimand or warning, scorn and or reproach.
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The Committees on Good Government, Justice and Human Rights and Committee on Rules and Ethics has resolved the same and recommended it before the SP during its regular session.
Nine of the SP members voted for the adoption of the committee report, which meant for engraving it in the SP history, namely, Board Members Eric Barbosa Sr., Lilia Gonzales, Palmares and members of the two committees -- Chairman-BMs Domingo Oso Jr., and Rodolfo Cabado and Cecilia Capadosa, Janeda Salcedo, Niel Tupas Jr., and Angel Briones. Majority of the members united with a sentiment that the vice governor deserves to be reprimanded for his four consecutive absences with an unacceptable reason-legal quandary.
Capadosa said that the behavior of Armada should be corrected so it will not be emulated by future occupants of the positions in the SP.
Barbosa asked if the censure is enough to compel Armada to perform his function and attend sessions. Cabado said it can't.
Lawyer Oso said that disciplinary actions such as suspension, preventing Armada to attend regular sessions, can be exhausted by the SP, once censure is not enough to compel him to perform his duly elected functions.
Tupas said that the legal dilemma, the alibi cited by Armada's counsel, lawyer Ma. Rita Sarabia, during the committees' hearing last Monday, is not acceptable, citing that the "law is not confused."
Quandary or confusion only occurs in the mind of Armada and his counsel, Tupas said.
He further said that it was clear that Armada remains the vice governor and should assume the same post since the "authority (DILG), which has sworn in Armada as governor is the same authority, which has ordered for his resumption."
Tupas stated that Armada has no basis to say that he is confused with his present political position.
On the other hand, the three members of the conscience bloc - Board Members Emmanuel Galar, presiding officer and acting vice governor, Bernardo Silla and Macario Napulan objected for the adoption.
Napulan said that censure to the highest occupant of the SP, is the first to happen in the SP's history. Gallar said Armada was not given the chance to defend himself and there was no impartial investigation.
However, last Monday when the committees held a hearing, the counsel of Armada attended the same in behalf of her client and reasoned out for defenses.
Armada remained absent during yesterday' session. It was his 5th absence.
Tupas, whose privilege speech paved the way for the inquiry of the committees, said that he would declare the Office of the Vice Governor permanently vacant, once duly elected Vice Governor Roberto Armada does not explain his absences, which is subject to disciplinary actions.
Tupas cited Section 47 of the Local Government Code, which provides that once the duly elected public official refuses to perform his duty, permanent vacancy occurs.
This applies to Armada's case, he claimed.
Oso said that Tupas will declare the Office of the Vice Governor permanently vacant once Armada does not recognize the censure and refuses to conduct his duty as vice governor.
The declaration will pave the way for the take over of Board Member Emmanuel Gallar, who holds the next highest post. (LABB)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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