Ex-Davao police chief is DILG OIC

DAVAO CITY , Philippines  – Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Catalino Cuy has been appointed as officer-in-charge of the department, replacing Ismael Sueno who was earlier sacked amid allegations of corruption and other abuses.

President Duterte still has to name who will be the DILG chief while Cuy – Davao City police chief when Duterte was mayor – takes charge of affairs of the department.

“There is no shortlist yet of who will actually be the next SILG (Secretary of the Interior and Local Government),” an official revealed, and that

Duterte is still scouting for Sueno’s replacement.

“The Palace announces the designation of Undersecretary Catalino S. Cuy as officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government effective immediately,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

Abella said Cuy will hold the position to ensure the continuous and effective delivery of services of the DILG until the President appoints a new secretary.

“I promise all of you in the executive branch; DILG, my home department, and the Filipino people that I will not betray this sacred public trust,” Cuy said in a statement.

“It is an honor for me to have received this opportunity to lead the DILG as its officer-in-charge,” he added.

“I am taking the responsibilities given to me by President Duterte seriously, and I commit to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the DILG and its constituent agencies in the spirit of absolute fairness, unity, and dedication to public service,” Cuy said.

Cuy, presently DILG undersecretary for police matters, once served as chief of the Davao City Police Office when Duterte was city mayor.

Cuy also served as an aide of former president Fidel Ramos.

A member of the Philippine Military Class of 1981, Cuy also served as provincial director of the Davao Oriental Police Office.

Cuy was among the 21 Davao City policemen found guilty of negligence by the Office of Ombudsman for failing to control the unabated summary killings by the so-called Davao Death Squad. They were all fined in amounts equivalent to a month’s salary.

Cuy was director for Personnel Records Management of the Philippine National Police before he retired from the service.

Upon retirement, Cuy was appointed DILG undersecretary by Duterte.

Duterte announced at the end of his Cabinet meeting last Monday that he was firing Sueno amid accusations of corruption, questionable wealth and abuse of power.

Cuy was not among the three DILG undersecretaries who informed Duterte of the alleged suspicious activities of Sueno.

The three undersecretaries were John Castriciones for operations, Jesus Hinlo for public safety, and Emilie Padilla for legislative liaison and special concerns.

Malacañang summoned the three officials to inform them of the designation of Cuy, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said.

“Yes, for some guidelines and to inform them that Usec. Catalino Cuy has been designated as officer-in-charge…,” Medialdea said in a text message to reporters.

For the meantime, the three DILG officials would remain in their posts.

Although no replacement was announced, Duterte said he is still looking for a replacement for Sueno. There were reports however that another ranking official is set to be axed by Duterte.

Sueno said he would accept his fate but maintained his innocence over the allegations of corruption.

“I wholeheartedly accept the decision of the President. It is his call if he wants me in his Cabinet or not. But for the record, Mr. President, and I can say this with all honesty and sincerity, I am not corrupt,” he said.

Sueno said the President must have been misinformed.

“I just wished the information was validated. If only the President asked DILG personnel from the central down to the regional and field offices, he would have known who amongst us are more credible and trustworthy,” he said.

Sueno said he is ready to clear his name and he is ready to face any investigation.

Corruption rampant

As far as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is concerned, the Duterte administration is slowly being eaten up by corrupt officials and embedded communist traitors.

Trillanes said despite Duterte’s repeated avowals to fight corruption, he himself and many of his officials are corrupt.

“What I’m saying corruption is rampant now. We have been identifying senior officials of this administration engaged in corruption, but they’re not being fired,” Trillanes told the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

Trillanes said Malacañang could not file charges against Sueno or even former National Irrigation Authority chief Peter Laviña as they could spill the beans on Duterte.

Laviña was forced to resign following allegations of corruption in the agency.

If the President was really against corruption, Trillanes said Duterte would have already fired Tourism Promotions Board chief Cesar Montano and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, both of whom were linked to anomalies and alleged bribery.

1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. agreed that Sueno should be investigated and charged if there is any evidence to pin him down on allegations of corruption.

“Formal charges must be filed if evidence warrant or show probable cause,” Belaro said.

“Due process will allow Sueno and Laviña to defend themselves and for prosecutors to make their case,” he added. –Delon Porcalla, Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe