WAITING FOR OPINION. Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta says on Tuesday (Aug. 6, 2024) that they are waiting for official guidance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government following the suspension of eight board members. He said they have pending resolutions and ordinances waiting to be tackled, thus the need to replace the members to achieve a quorum. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Vice Governor Edgar Denosta sought the opinion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the possible replacement of three ex-officio members who were among the eight members of the Provincial Board suspended by the Ombudsman.
Denosta, sitting as the presiding officer, said in an interview that they are waiting for the official communication from DILG Antique on the official guidance about replacement so they can muster a quorum.
The preventive suspension ordered by the Ombudsman against Board Members Egidio Elio, Rony Molina, Alfie Jay Niquia, Mayella Mae Ladislao and Victor Condez took effect on Monday.
The suspension stemmed from an administrative complaint of oppression, grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty and violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards. for Public Officials and Employees.
Also suspended were Philippine Councilors League-Antique president Plaridel Sanchez IV, Liga ng mga Barangay president Julius Cedar Tajanlangit and Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan president Kenneth Dave Gasalao, all ex-officio members.
Denosta said he was told in an initial communication with the DILG central office that by the law of succession, the vice president of the suspended ex-officio members can take over.
Once allowed, the replacement will join the remaining members of the board, namely Karmila Rose Dimamay, Noel Alamis, Dante Beriong, Emmanuel Palacios Jr. and Pio Jessielio Sumande Sr. to form a quorum.
“We have many pending resolutions and ordinances to be tackled, so we hope that by Monday, we could have our regular session,” Denosta said.
In the meantime, the suspended board members sought a reversal of the decision, claiming they exercised their check and balance function when they deleted three items amounting to PHP765 million of the PHP1.075 billion Supplemental Budget No. 1.
They said they have yet to receive the official copy of the complaint.
In an interview, Condez said they were careful in approving the request for allocation for solar photovoltaic installation, purchase of home solar system, and installation of solar-powered streetlights since the funds came from the share of the province from the national treasury.
The provincial board failed to hold its regular session on Monday due to lack of quorum. (PNA)
