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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Duterte quits peace and order council post
By Grace L. Plata, Carlo P. Mallo, and Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte Monday announced his irrevocable resignation as chair of Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-Southern Mindanao.
Duterte cited his leave of absence, which he said he would extend, as the main reason for quitting his post as RPOC chair.
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The mayor made the announcement following the oath taking of his son Paolo as president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Monday morning at the City Hall.
"My resignation is irrevocable. Lawyer (Melchor) Quitain has already prepared the letter," Duterte told reporters covering the City Hall beat.
Big loss
The military described Duterte's resignation as a big loss to the peace and order council. Duterte has been RPOC chair for the past 12 years.
"It is a big loss in our peace and order efforts in Southern Mindanao," said Colonel Benito del Leon, chief of staff of the 10th Infantry Division.
The 10th Infantry Division is the military unit operating in Davao City and in the provinces of Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur.
COA investigation
Duterte also took an indefinite leave to give way to the Commission on Audit (COA) investigation on the alleged anomaly over the P72 million People's Park.
"I am not a functioning government employee as I am on leave and I will also be taking an extended leave (as city mayor)," Duterte said.
Duterte said he has yet to talk to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regarding his resignation although he has made known to her the intention to step down months ago.
"The last time the local executives had a meeting with the President. I offered to step aside and give chances for other local executives to take a crack at the job," Duterte said.
Succession rules
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-City Office Chief Merilo Limbaro said that as per rules of succession, Chief Superintendent Andres II, Chief of the Regional Police Office and RPOC vice chair, will serve as acting chair until a new RPOC chair is appointed from among the governors of Southern Mindanao provinces.
Duterte said he will not endorse anybody for the job, but all elected executives in the region are capable.
"(Davao del Sur Governor Douglas) Cagas is highly qualified. (Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee") Uy is good with public relations. (Davao Oriental Governor Corazon) Malanyao is equally competent. I'm sure one of them will do nicely," Duterte said.
The mayor later showed reporters copy of his resignation letter, which was to be forwarded to Malacañang Monday afternoon. City Legal Officer J. Melchor Quitain crafted the letter.
"I herewith tender my irrevocable resignation as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council of Southern Mindanao effective upon your Excellency's receipt hereof," Duterte said in his letter through DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
"It was an honor to have been of service to your administration, the people of Region 11 and the Republic," he added.
Laza's transfer
Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao showed that Duterte had forwarded his resignation letter after being informed of the transfer of Senior Superintendent Conrado Laza to Camp Crame.
Laza was formerly the Davao City Police Office director before he was transferred to the police regional office as deputy director.
Though not confirming or denying, Duterte's decision to resign as RPOC chair was believed to be connected with Laza's transfer to Camp Crame.
Rumors flew thick and fast that Representative Prospero Nograles was behind Laza's transfer. The congressman however denied this.
150 days
Many Dabawenyos will surely miss Duterte as he has only 150 days or about five months of leave credits to take.
This early, the mayor is already planning to go back to China and tour other Asian countries.
Duterte, however, said he would not take all the 150-day leave credits in one sitting.
The mayor said though that once the COA's investigation on the alleged anomaly in the P72 million People's Park is over and that no anomaly is discovered, he will readily assume his post which he, for now, has relegated to his daughter Vice Mayor Sara Duterte.
Mayor Duterte said he would not be away for long and will still be around whenever the city needs him. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (January 8, 2008 issue)
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