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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Abra SP recommends suspension of Pidigan mayor

Abra SP recommends suspension of Pidigan mayor

Published Jan 13, 2025 09:09 am

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Abra on Friday, Jan. 10, recommended the preventive suspension of Pidigan Mayor Joseph Domino Valera for 60 days over complaints filed by three municipal employees.

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Two complainants, Arnulfo M. Bisares and Melvin Dumlao, who filed grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and violation of the Code of Ethical Standard for Public Office last December alleged that Valera and municipal treasurer Apollo Palecpec did not release their year-end bonus equivalent to one-month salary and P5,000 cash gift each for 2023.

Dumlao and the third complainant, Jumel Chong, said that Valera and Palecpec did not release their mid-year bonus equivalent to one month salary and cash gift for May 2024.

The SP said that the non-release of their bonuses and cash gift suggests “a deliberate intent on the side of Valera to withhold the benefits of the complainants causing injury and damage to them.”

Valera and Palecpec were summoned by the SP last Dec. 26 to explain but the mayor allegedly refused to receive the summons.

The SP conducted a clarificatory hearing on Jan. 10 where the complainants presented witnesses – Pidigan Vice Mayor Noel Bisares, Sangguniang Bayan Members Josephine Dalere and Victor Paculdar, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Lexen Apolinar – who revealed that the three employees did not receive their benefits.

The SP resolved to recommend the preventive suspension of Valera for 60 days in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Code. On the other hand, the SP did not recommend the suspension of Palecpec as it requires a written complaint before the Bureau of Local Government Finance under the Department of Finance.

A copy of the decision was furnished to the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Abra and the Land Bank of the Philippines-Bangued, Abra branch.

Valeras, too

Valera was suspended days after the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs of the Office of the President (OP) finally ruled to suspend Abra Gov. Dominic Valera and daughter, Vice Gov. Maria Jocelyn V. Bernos, for 18 months for administrative missteps in handling the replacement of a Sangguniang Bayan member in Bucay town, Juan S. Palcon, who died of an illness in 2023.

The DESLA found the two officials administratively liable for grave misconduct, abuse of authority, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

A complaint was filed by Palcon’s widow, Febes, before the Office of the President saying that another person illegally took an oath to replace her husband because Vice Gov. Bernos, who claimed as the Abra chairperson of the National Unity Party, endorsed another person in violation of the Local Goverment Code.

Febes said the individual was also recognized by Vice Gov. Bernos as the rightful replacement of his husband.

The Jan. 8 DESLA ruling signed by Atty. Anna Liza G. Logan was received by the Legal Service of the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG).

Related Tags

Pidigan Mayor Joseph Domino Valera Abra
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