MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued show cause orders against three provincial governors and four mayors for violating enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines imposed by the national government.
“As directed by the President himself, we will not go easy on local government officials who will violate the prescribed directives during the ECQ,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday.
Reprimanded to submit a written explanation were Gov. Jocelyn Bernos of Abra; Gov. Rhodora Cadiao of Antique; Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri of Bukidnon; Mayor Dino Reyes Chua of Cavite; Mayor Gerry Natanauan of Talisay, Batangas; Mayor Rolen Paulino of Olongapo City; Mayor Ernesto Escutin of Dao, Capiz.
“The point of all of these national policies is to ensure unity, cohesion, and order in the entire country during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis which requires the LGU’s (local government units) full cooperation and compliance,” stressed Año, saying these officials should state clearly why no administrative cases should be filed against them for negligence, dereliction of duty and violation of Republic Act No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”
Failure to do so will result in an automatic administrative case to be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman. The officials may also face criminal charges from the National Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice.
“As part of procedural due process, we are asking them to explain. And if warranted, the DILG will file the necessary cases against them. Once we have done so, we can now release their names to the public because cases are now pending against them,” Año explained.
He said that more show cause orders will be issued against local chief executives in the next few days after the DILG has exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the LGUs./PN
