Noval: DILG might probe Vice-Governor Sanchez

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) might investigate Cebu Vice-Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. for challenging the agency to sue him because of his refusal to assume as acting governor.

DILG-7 director Pedro Noval, Jr. said he will not file charges against Sanchez, but he will report the latter's actuations to Manila.

According to Noval, they are monitoring Sanchez' actuations and he will make a report to Secretary Jessie Robredo about it.

Noval said his report will be made as basis for any action from the secretary, including possible investigation.

Robredo can look into the propriety of Sanchez' refusal to act as governor because, as DILG secretary, he supervises all local officials, Noval added.

Despite the challenge, however, Noval said he is not filing a complaint against Sanchez, because he will not get anything out of it. He said he will just leave the matter to Robredo.

Sanchez dared Noval to sue him after the DILG official reminded him that he could be sued for dereliction of duty for his refusal to assume as acting governor.

Noval explained that Sanchez does not need to be officially designated, because it is automatic under the Local Government Code that the vice governor will assume in an acting capacity the position of the governor if the latter is on leave or out of the country.

Noval asked Sanchez to revisit and read Section 46 of the Local Government Code which states that "the vice governor...or the highest ranking Sangguniang member, as the case may be, shall have the right to assume the powers, duties, and functions of the said office of the said local chief executive, subject to the limitations..."

But in spite of it Sanchez refused to assume as acting governor as Governor Gwendolyn Garcia went to the United States saying that there was no official designation for him to act as such from the local chief executive.

According to Sanchez, he is just trying to avoid possible charges of usurpation of authority.

Garcia left for California last Sunday for the Governors Global Climate Summit 3 without appointing Sanchez as acting governor. She is expected to be home today.

Greg Trains Guns On Rory

After a verbal clash with Noval, Sanchez has now trained his guns on Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda.

"You (Sepulveda) better prepare, bantay ka lang," Sanchez said.

The vice governor said that the next time the governor would go on a trip abroad, he will take her post on an acting capacity and will issue a lot of memos to the department heads.

He said that the only limitation to his power as acting governor would be the hiring, firing and suspension of personnel.

"Kun dili siya (Sepulveda) motuman, I'll sue him for insubordination," Sanchez said.

Sanchez did not reveal what specific order he will give to Sepulveda, but he advised him "to keep his mouth shut" as he did not recognize the latter being Capitol spokesperson and a consultant.

He said that the appointment of consultants by the governor has no authority from the Provincial Board.

When sought for comment, Sepulveda told The FREEMAN that he sees no problem about what action Sanchez plans to take.

"No problem. He better check his law first before he does anything stupid. But come to think about it. . .a stupid one, a stupid does," Sepulveda said.

Meanwhile, Sanchez named lawyer Jesus Duque of the DILG Manila, whom he earlier said as the one who told him that Garcia's travel abroad does not strip him of being the vice governor and presiding officer of the Provincial Board.

Noval earlier challenged Sanchez to name the official in Manila, who rendered the opinion that his capacity as acting governor is just an add-on to his being a vice-governor and Sanchez can still preside over the session.

Sanchez has dared Noval to pursue charges against him for dereliction of duty for refusal to assume as acting governor saying it is his prerogative.

Sanchez welcomed such move to press charges against him to clarify some provisions under the Local Government Code.

Section 46c of the Code states that "when the incumbent local chief executive is traveling within the country but outside his territorial jurisdiction for a period not exceeding three consecutive days, he may designate in writing the officer-in-charge of the said office."

This is the basis why Sanchez refused to assume as acting governor saying he has not given official communication delegating the function of a governor.

Sanchez said that Noval should instead clarify these provisions of the law. With Gregg M. Rubio/NLQ (FREEMAN)