DILG finds no basis to charge Joseph Estrada

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Friday, July 19, there is no basis to file administrative charges against former Manila mayor Joseph Estrada over his alleged failure to turn over transition documents to the new administration.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said their investigation showed that Estrada’s transition team turned over the necessary documents to the DILG Manila office on June 28.

The documents were forwarded to the new city administrator on July 2, the new administration's first day in office.

"Based on the results of the fact-finding investigation, we find no basis to file administrative charges against former Mayor Estrada as we have confirmed from a report submitted by our regional office that the required documents were endorsed by former City Administrator Ericson Alcovendaz to Mayor Moreno's transition team and the DILG Manila Field Office on June 28, 2019," said Malaya.

The turnover of Estrada’s leadership to Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso did not push through on June 28 after the latter’s transition team did not show up.

Moreno’s camp said Estrada’s team failed to turn over the pertinent documents to them but Malaya said the documents were submitted to DILG City Director Rolynne Javier.

"Our DILG Manila Field Office reviewed and validated the transition documents and the same were forwarded to the Office of the City Administrator Felixberto Espiritu copy furnished the Office of the City Mayor on July 2, 2019," said Malaya.

He said it no longer matters if they showed up or not during the event but what is important is that they turned over the needed documents to ensure the continuation of public services.

Malaya said that while the DILG highly recommends the holding of a turnover ceremony for a more seamless leadership and management transition, there are instances that such ceremonies may not be held for as long as the reasons are justified.

“The turnover ceremony is just ceremonial to symbolize the transition of power from an outgoing official to the next. Even if there is no formal ceremony or even if Estrada failed to attend the turnover rites, what’s important is that the transition documents are intact and are now in the possession of Mayor Isko’s team. There is substantial compliance with the applicable DILG Circular and we, therefore, consider this matter closed,” he said.

The DILG had ordered all local government units to create a transition team ahead of the midterm elections in May and and turn over documents and inventory of properties to new local chief executives.

Malaya noted that Estrada issued Executive Order No. 7 dated April 1 for the creation of the City of Manila Local Governance Transition Team.

The said team convened on May 22, May 29, and May 31 when they met with Moreno’s transition team to discuss the turnover of documents and agreed on the turnover ceremony on June 21. (SunStar Philippines)

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