Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao emphasized the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards following the suspension of eight Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members in the province.
The incident serves as a critical lesson for the Provincial Board, highlighting the need to prioritize public service over political interests. The Office of the Ombudsman recently ordered the suspensions due to the Provincial Board’s failure to approve a P1.075 billion supplemental budget.
Cadiao consulted with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Western Visayas Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero on how to fill the seats of the suspended members to achieve a quorum.
The governor stated that the vice presidents of three ex-officio SP members could be appointed as regular SP members to restore the Provincial Board’s functionality and resume regular sessions.
According to DILG Memorandum Circular 2019-21, in the case of temporary vacancies in the provincial board, only nominees from the political parties of the members who caused the vacancies can be designated.
The nominee must meet all the qualifications under Section 39 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and have none of the disqualifications under Section 40.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the six-month preventive suspension without pay of eight SP members while the anti-graft office investigates allegations of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and gross neglect of duty.
Cadiao expressed sympathy for the embattled SP members. She hopes this incident serves as a lesson to other members of the Provincial Board, emphasizing the need to prioritize public service for the people of Antique over personal interests and to adhere to legal and ethical standards.
“I’m saddened, but this serves as a lesson. The people should not be denied government services only because of politics,” Cadiao stated.
