DAVAO CITY – The province of Davao del Norte is on pins and needles as the Office of the President suspended Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib (OP) for two months or 60 days beginning Thursday, April 11.
JUBAHIB (center). (FB)
According to a directive dated April 8 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Jubahib should vacate his current position by Thursday morning.
Jubahib was suspended following a complaint filed by Provincial Board Member Orly Amit on November 24, 2022, accusing the governor of abusing authority and oppression.
The governor refused to step down from his post as he said that the suspension order violated his right to due process.
“The preventive suspension is unjust since I was not invited to face any trial or even before the Office of the President,” Jubahib said in a local dialect.
Jubahib’s office did not directly receive the suspension notice and it was posted on a wall within the provincial capitol building in Tagum City.
According to the order, the OP found strong evidence of guilt against the governor after a preliminary evaluation and consideration of the parties’ allegations and evidence.
“Given the gravity of the offense charged, there is a great probability that his continuance in office can influence witnesses or threaten the safety and integrity of the records,” the order said.
A copy of the order was furnished the office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.
Abalos said in a statement that they are addressing the order from the OP to suspend Jubahib for misuse of authority, oppression, and using government funds for the benefit of a private company’s benefit.
“We recognized the challenges faced by our officers during the implementation of the suspension order,” the DILG chief said.