DILG: Duterte to find replacements if suspended by ombudsman

ILOILO CITY – A total of 17 officials of Aklan province and Malay town were charged yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman for neglect of duty that led to Boracay Island’s environmental crisis.

President Duterte may replace the officials if they are suspended by the ombudsman, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.

Charged were Gov. Florencio Miraflores; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talabero; Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling; Ma- lay Vice Mayor Abram Sualog; Sangguniang Bayan members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiter Aelfred Gallernero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumdad, Maylynn Graff, Danilo delos Santos and Dante Pagsuguiron; Malay licensing officer Jen Salsona; Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho; and barangay captains Hector Casidsid of Yapak, Chona Gabay of ManocManoc and Lilibeth Sacapaño of Balabag.

Also charged were several John and Jane Does.

The 17 were administratively charged under the Local Government Code for gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a

Confronted by survey results showing 6.6 percent or 1.5 million Filipino families admitting to being victims of common crimes, President Duterte said he feels useless in the face of what he considers a breakdown in peace and order.

The President talked about the first quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey result as backdrop to his proposal to arm barangay officials for self-defense and as part of a stepped-up drive against criminality. The survey was conducted from March 23 to 27. “Right now, there seems to be a semblance of a republic and a nation, but inside, it’s topsy-turvy. It’s crime-ridden,” he said in remarks at the oath-taking of barangay officials in Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday. “Pag ganito, wala ko’y silbi. I will ask you to join me, mag-resign na lang ta. Hindi ito amin, hindi sa gobyerno,” the President said.

He also threatened to file charges against local executives who fail to curb criminality and other security threats in their jurisdiction.

Duterte reminded mayors and other local officials of their duty to protect their constituents from threats such as terrorism and illegal drugs.

“You work. I will give you firearms. But I want terrorism and drugs and I will have an audit. And if you are not at par, I will file charges against you for incompetence,” the President said.

He said he had instructed acting interior chief Eduardo Año to make an audit of the performance of all local officials.

Duterte reiterated a promise to protect local officials who might be criminally charged for carrying out their anti-crime duties.

“I expect you to, of course, give your best. If you face cases because of your work, just like policemen and military personnel, I will defend you. I will take care of you,” he said in Filipino.

The President placed the entire country under a state of lawless violence in 2016, while Mindanao is still under martial law reportedly due to prevailing threats of terrorism.

Año, meanwhile, said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has started its performance audit on local government officials, including governors, mayors and barangay captains, as ordered by the President. He said the audit will involve checking the officials’ confidential funds.