Suspended Kalinga gov: Nobody is above the law

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac, who Malacañang suspended for one month for assaulting a broadcaster, described his fate as proof that nobody is above the law.

“I humbly accept (the) order and will serve its penalty to show to the people (that) nobody is above the law and we all must adhere to the rule of law,” he said.

Baac turned over the provincial leadership to Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang earlier this week in compliance with the Palace order suspending him for one month after he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming of a public officer.

Signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, the order, dated June 27, warned “that the commission of the same or similar acts in the future will be dealt with more severely.” 

Upon learning about the order, Baac said he immediately went to Malacañang to get a copy of it on July 6.

“I think what happened is providential for me to take a better view of the province’s situation and assess what we need to improve to serve the people better,” he said.

Baac said he would also take advantage of his suspension to spend time with his family and do some retreat and reflection.

Baac’s suspension stemmed from his assault on broadcaster Jerome Tabanganay inside the booth of the government-run dzRK Radyo ng Bayan in Tabuk City on June 7 last year.

Baac said he went to the radio station to clear the issues being thrown against him on air. Unfortunately, he said, it resulted in two of them struggling to get hold of the microphone, which hit Tabanganay in the process. 

“(His acceptance of the order) manifested his strength of character and humility for subjecting himself to the rule of law (as) compared to instances in other provinces where suspension orders are usually met by protests and tension,” said Assistant Local Government Secretary Julio Barcellano, who witnessed the turnover rites.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) expressed fear that Baac’s mere sanction could send a wrong signal that you can just hit anybody you do not like.

“… That if you attack and threaten a journalist you will at most receive a slap on the wrist and no criminal charges…. That if you do not like what a broadcaster is saying, just storm his station, grab whatever weapon you can find, and hit him,” the NUCP said. 

The NUJP, in a statement, also hit Malacañang for taking a year and a month before coming out with a one-month administrative suspension on Baac.

“If it takes a year for a governor to be suspended for assaulting a broadcaster, how long will it take to find justice for the 58 victims of the Ampatuan massacre and all other victims of extra-judicial killings?” said NUJP Secretary-General Rowena Paraan. CCL/RFC