By Malu Cadelina Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY (Dec 6) – Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco has re-appointed for the third time Attorney Jonah Denaque-Meneses to be the provincial government’s legal officer after the latter’s appointment was denied on Tuesday by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
North Cotabato Governor Nancy Alaan Catamco
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Catamco said that at this time, she can’t find the right person to handle the Provincial Legal Office other than Meneses.
She said Meneses already submitted the documents needed by the Sanggunian for her confirmation.
“I believed Attorney Jonah was able to submit to the council the documents, and for sure, she passed the minimum requirements set by the CSC (Civil Service Commission). I just understand why her confirmation was still denied,” the governor said.
This was the second time Meneses failed to get the Sanggunian's concurrence. The first time was in July this year, along with the denial of the appointment of Basilio Obello Jr. as the provincial administrator.
Obello was even charged with cyber libel when he allegedly uttered “malicious” statements against Sanggunian presiding officer Vice Governor Lala Talino-Mendoza over his blocktime radio program when his confirmation was denied twice in July.
“Walang limit kung hanggang kelan puwede’ng ma-appoint ang isang na-deny na indibidwal. Kahit ilang beses pa nilang i-deny yan, puwede pa rin siya ma-re-appoint,” the governor said.
(There is no limit to the number of times an individual whose confirmation has been denied may be reappointed. No matter how many times they deny that, they can still be reappointed.)
Catamco hinted Meneses was denied her concurrence because of “personal issues” allegedly involving documents related to the re-opening of the construction of the multi-million rural airport in M’lang, Cotabato.
The rural airport project was begun during the time of then-Cotabato Governor and now Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Manny Piñol but was put on hold during the time of then-Governor and now Vice-Governor Mendoza.
“If they used as basis the denial these personal issues they hurled against Atty. Jonah, then they are like encroaching my authority as the governor of the province,” said Catamco.
But to “harmonize” the relationship between the executive and the legislative departments, she said she might consider looking for Meneses’ replacement.
“But in the meantime that I have not found one to replace her, Attorney Meneses stays as the legal officer,” she said.