DILG: File case on suspension

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has advised Ermita, Cebu City barangay officials who were issued preventive suspension by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas to file a certiorari case before the Court of Appeals.

Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta went to DILG 7 yesterday morning to clarify whether they are already suspended or not.

The graft office issued the preventive suspension related to Case OMB-V-A-17-0014 against Rupinta and all seven elected Ermita barangay councilors.

Rupinta said they were told by DILG 7 Legal Officer Aiiza Fiel Nogra to stay put because they will implement the suspension order of the Ombudsman only when there is clearance from DILG central office.

According to the barangay captain, he and his group will file a petition for certiorari today, based on the advised by DILG 7 when they went there yesterday.

Rupinta said that at least it is now clear that they can still perform their duties and serve the people especially on the delivery of public services.

He attached his letter to the city director of DILG’S Barangay Resolutions 17-016 dated Jan. 19 and signed by Barangay Councilors Mark Rizaldy Miral, Ryan Jay Rosas, Domingo Ando Jr., Wilbert Flores, Antonieto Flores, Aljo Tamundo and Maria Buanghug.

He said they are hoping the CA will entertain it before the clearance from the DILG in Manila will be released to DILG 7. Nogra told SunStar Cebu that DILG 7’s request for clearance was sent to their central office last Jan. 19.

Nogra said the situationer report with recommendation will be sent to DILG in Manila today when DILG 7 Director Rene Burdeos will report back to work after a leave of absence.

Earlier, Burdeos said that in Rupinta’s case, the legal bases that can be used is Article 8, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution.

It provides that based on his residual power, the President (Rodrigo Duterte) or his alter ego (DILG Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno) can fill up such vacancies in case the law succession is not applicable. /

There was no due process. We refuse to work with people who are working for their personal interest, not the community’s. We’d rather resign. ALLIES OF ERMITA BARANGAY CHIEF FELICISIMO RUPINTA