ILOILO – Mayor Jessie Alecto of the municipality of Dingle has suddenly resigned. But why?
His resignation letter addressed to Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. did not offer any reason.
Alecto took a leave of absence beginning June 1 then surprised even his vice mayor with his resignation that took effect on July 1 yet.
His resignation letter, however, reached the governor’s office only yesterday, said Defensor.
Part of the letter read, “I would like to tender my resignation as Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Dingle effective July 1, 2018. It has been a pleasure and privilege serving the people of Dingle.”
Defensor said he had no idea why Alecto, who won as mayor only in 2016, suddenly resigned.
Several attempts to contact Alecto proved futile. His mobile phone was unattended.
Prior to his election as mayor, Alecto was vice mayor.
The resignation would make Alecto’s political ally Vice Mayor Rufino Palabrica III the municipal mayor again.
Palabrica, mayor from 2007-2010, 2010-2013 and 2013-2016, said yesterday he was clueless as to Alecto’s reason for quitting.
He learned about the resignation only from Alecto’s secretary who informed him about the letter sent to the governor’s office, said Palabrica.
Palabrica had been serving as acting mayor of Dingle since June 1. He said he would seek further clarification from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding the succession process.
“Under the rule of succession kon magsaka mayor ang vice mayor, mangin vice mayor ang No. 1 Sangguniang Bayan member. This will create a vacant position in the Sangguniang Bayan,” said Palabrica.
Alecto’s sudden resignation saddened him, he added.
In the 2016 election, both Alecto and Palabrica ran under the local political party Abyan Ilonggo of Cong. Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo’s 4th District. Barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term, then mayor Palabrica opted to run for vice mayor.
Meanwhile, it was only in May that the Sandiganbayan First Division dismissed the four counts of graft charges filed against Palabrica, citing the violation of the official’s right to a speedy disposition his cases.
Palabrica was charged with violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for allegedly using a dummy in a construction company to bag construction projects of the municipal government of Dingle.
In a resolution dated May 28, 2018, the Sandiganbayan also granted the Motion to Quash and/or Dismiss and to Defer Arraignment, dated March 27, 2018, of Palabrica.
“Considering the declaration that the accused’s right to a speedy disposition of his cases had been violated due to the inordinate delay in the conduct of the preliminary investigation, the court deems it no longer necessary to discuss the rest of the issues raised,” the resolution read.
It was signed by Chairperson/Associate Justice Efren N. De La Cruz and concurred by Associate Justices Geraldine Faith A. Econ and Edgardo M. Caldona.
The arraignment of the accused set on June 8, 2018 was also ordered cancelled.
On Feb 28, 2018, the Court of Appeals also junked the administrative charge filed against the vice mayor relative to the case.
It was the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office that filed the administrative complaint against Palabrica way back when the respondent was still the municipal mayor (2007-2010 term).
Palabrica welcomed the ruling of the anti-graft court.
“Very happy gid. Maski sin-o man nga may criminal case ma-bother gid. So kay na-dismiss, it’s a big relief sa akon,” said Palabrica./PN
