DILG-7 Declares Status Quo for Suspended Cebu City Village Executives

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 has declared a status quo for all the suspended officials of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City.

DILG 7 Director Rene Burdeos on Monday said they will not implement the six-month preventive suspension of all elected officials of the barangay pending the review and clearance by the DILG Central Office and the Office of the President.

Burdeos said this means these officials can continue to perform their functions and responsibilities.

DILG 7 Legal Officer Aiiza Fiel Nogra said they submitted on Monday to the central office their situationer report with recommendation to the DILG Secretary and for consideration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas ordered the six-month preventive suspension of Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta and the seven councilors for failure to cooperate in an anti-drug raid.

The suspended councilors are Marky Rizaldy Miral, Antonieto Flores, Ryan Jay Rosas, Alio Tamundo, Domingo Ando, Maria Bianghug and Wilbert Flores.

Burdeos said the only legal basis to appoint a replacement of Rupinta and his councilors is Article 8, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution, considering that all of the elected officials are suspended and their suspension is only preventive and temporary.

“Under this law, and with his residual power, only President Rodrigo Duterte or his alter ego, Secretary Ismael Sueno can appoint their replacement,” Burdeos said.

Rupinta said he and his councilors will continue to work and will consult with DILG 7 officials until their suspension is implemented. (PNA)LAP/EB/EBP