Malacañang has confirmed that it has ordered the suspension of Abra Vice Governor Maria Jocelyn "Joy" Valera-Bernos for ordering a hospital locked down during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when she was the province's governor.

"Yes," was Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin's response to Palace reporters on Saturday morning, Aug. 24, when asked the previous night to confirm reports that the local chief executive was suspended for 18 months over an administrative case filed against her in December 2020.

The suspension order issued by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs stemmed from the complaint by Dr. Voltaire Seares of the Dr. Petronoillo Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital against Bernos after she ordered the hospital to be locked down in June 2020 when one of its nurses tested positive for Covid-19.

The complainant accused then-governor Bernos of oppression, abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and disobedience to national government policies for having an insufficient basis to declare the lockdown.

In a statement, Vice Governor Bernos decried her suspension and claimed that it was "politically motivated" and sought to destroy her reputation.

Bernos claimed that the suspension order had a "clear motive" to destroy her character.

"We should not let those people behind this order prevail from this politically motivated character and reputation attacks against me," she said.

Despite this, Bernos said she will continue to promote the best interests of her constituents and will always work for the good and safety of the general public.

The local chief executive said she continues to stand by her decision as she only had the safety of her constituents in a time of uncertainty and ambiguity.

"It was never aimed to target any specific hospital, but a necessary and immediate action to mitigate the probable spread of the virus,” she said, noting that there was no way to control the virus or any vaccine at the time.

“I stand my position as governor and my decision for the benefit of the residents in the province,” she added.

The complaint was initially dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 4, 2022, and ruled that her actions were done in good faith and within the bounds of her duty as a public servant.