THE undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured his fellow Negrenses that he will continue the fight for the retention of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
DILG Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo’s statement came after DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno, considered as the champion of NIR, was removed from the Cabinet by President Rodrigo Duterte amid his conflict with the three undersecretaries, including Hinlo, following corruption allegations.
“I have been thankful to him (Sueno) for his support to NIR. We don’t want this to happen,” Hinlo said in a telephone interview Wednesday, April 5.
Hinlo added that he is aware of the alleged questionable move of Sueno to travel to Austria to inspect the fire trucks the DILG intends to purchase, and push for the signing of the Special Allotment Release Order for the 76 units of fire trucks for the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
This, despite a pending case before the Supreme Court on the matter.
He said the DILG Legal Department has already issued a recommendation to Sueno to defer giving imprimatur to the request of the BFP. The transaction involves about P1.5 billion which was undertaken by the previous administration.
“Who will be answerable to the Supreme Court especially if it decides against the case? That is a big amount qualified for a plunder case that’s why I did not sign the Saro,” Hinlo said.
He added: “We are here to protect the public interest. There is a question on the legality of the contract.”
Hinlo said he is not aware of the other accusations against Sueno that led to his dismissal as DILG Secretary after Duterte said he has lost of trust and confidence in Sueno.