Delay in enforcement of Palace ally’s dismissal assailed

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday castigated the Aquino administration for dispensing what it called the “yellow” brand of justice for the delay in enforcing the dismissal of Capiz Governor Victor Tanco Sr.

“Pagdating sa kalaban, enforced agad ang order. Kapag kaalyado, maraming delaying tactics. Di maitatago ng DILG na dilaw pa rin ang kulay ng hustisya at polisiya na pinapairal nila (If an enemy is involved, orders are enforced at once. If it’s an ally, there are lots of delaying tactics. The Department of the Interior and Local Government cannot deny that it is employing yellow justice and policies),” party Spokesman and Provincial Coordinator Mon Ilagan.

Yellow is the signature color of President Aquino, chairman of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

In contrast, Ilagan said that the DILG immediately served the Ombudsman’s dismissal order on Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, even if the mayor is still entitled to an appeal.

Mayor Binay is the son of the Vice President, who will carry the UNA party in his bid for the Palace next year.

LP secretary-general Mel SenenSarmiento was named DILG chief by Aquino following erstwhile Interior secretary Mar Roxas’ declaration to seek the presidency as administration bet.

The Ombudsman had dismissed Tanco Sr. and his son in relation to an alleged extortion case of a contractor. The Tancos are closely allied with the Aquino administration, UNA underscored

However, the DILG Region VI office said their office is still clarifying with the Ombudsman if Tanco’s case is covered by the “Aguinaldo doctrine”.

“Halatang may ibang standards na sinusunod ang DILG pagdating sa pag-enforce ng mga orders (The DILG obviously has different standards when it comes to enforcing orders),” Ilagan said.

The doctrine says an administrative case filed against a reelected public official in relation to his previous term is not a cause for him to be removed from office.

“Mismong DILG Region VI director na ang nagsabing isang TRO lamang ang maaaring pumigil sa pagserve nila ng executory order ng Ombudsman (The DILG Region VI director himself said that only a Temporary Restraining Order can halt the serving of the Ombudsman’s executive order),” Ilagan stressed, adding that the Tanco was just purposely being delayed.

This is in contrast with the way the Ombudsman and the DILG served its dismissal order against Mayor Binay.

“Dismissal by press release na nga, sinindak pa ang komunidad noong nagserve ng Ombudsman order (Not only was he dismissed by press release, but those who served the Ombudsman order also created a commotion in the community),” Ilagan said.