(Eagle News)–The preventive suspension meted out on Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib did not violate his right to due process, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Saturday, April 13.
In a statement issued days after Jubahib decried harassment, Bersamin said the 60-day preventive suspension was ordered only after the issues stemming from an administrative complaint filed against the governor “were joined in accordance with Section 63a of Republic Act No. 7160 and Sections 1 and 4, Rule 6 of Administrative Order No. 23 Series of 1992.”
He said the Office of the President “made a thorough assessment” of the complaint made by Board Member Orly Amit and found it “sufficiently alleged grave abuse of discretion and oppression on the part of Gov. Jubahib in connection with the recall of BM Amit’s service vehicle without legal basis.”
He said his office ordered the preventive suspension “to prevent any undue interference in the conduct of the investigation.”
“The OP remains committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in all administrative proceedings,” he said.
In his video statement issued before dawn on Thursday, Jubahib said the suspension was “unjust since I was not invited to face any trial or even before the Office of the President.”
“They just issued the preventive suspension from OP. Thus, it was a very clear act of injustice because it did not undergo a proper due process,” he said.
The DILG Region 11 has said Vice Gov. De Carlo Uy shall be acting governor for 60 days following Jubahib’s suspension.
