Suspension yarn of guv, 2 others sets off 'panic' in the Capitol
"Panic" set in late Friday afternoon in the Capitol as talks spread like wildfire on purported preventive suspension of Governor Niel Tupas, Second District Board Member Cecilia Capadosa and Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan.
By Saturday morning, the supposed suspension cum decision "bloated" into an alleged perpetual disqualification from holding public office even as no solid confirmation was reached from any source.
This, as security was tightened in and out of the Capitol building, seat of the Iloilo Provincial Government with the Governor, his closest of allies, members of the legal team and Miag-ao Mayor Gerry Flores reported to have stayed up to 6 p.m.
Mayor Flores is known to be the man behind the security agency manning Iloilo's grandest government building. His alleged specific orders to the guards? Strictly frisk any individual who wish to enter the Capitol premises and bar entry if it is from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The DILG is supposed to be the bearer of bad news, that is if you are against the suspension and good news, if you are one of the group of Board Member Manny Gallar.
Gallar when reached for comment by Radio Mindanao Network's (RMN) dyRI 774 said he himself was caught by surprise saying his contacts only heard it from the media particularly from said network. Yet if and when the suspension or disqualification is served, he is ready to assume a higher post.
As provided by law, the spot for governor if left vacant will be taken over by Vice Governor Roberto Armada whose post will be occupied by Gallar as Senior Board Member.
"Gapangamuyo gid kita nga nga tuod ina para ang pumuluyo matagaan hustisya (We are praying that the news is true so the people will be granted justice)," Gallar told noontime anchor and station manager Ronel Sorbito. "That way we will have a (provincial) government of honesty and 'no relatives."
Such as Gallar averred the "big possibility" of the reported suspension or disqualification given the numerous criminal and administrative cases lodged against Tupas before the Ombudsman. Gallar for his part caused the filing of one "Tupas et. al. case" brought by the multi-billion construction of the new Iloilo airport and later became subject of a congressional probe.
Ariel Catubig, Capitol Press Corps president got his information of the purported Tupas suspension via a text message from RMN Capitol beat reporter Tina Ilustre. Catubig said he had no prior information on the report with the said text message asking him as well of his knowledge if any.
Catubig was also told that indeed the Capitol's side and backdoors were closed with only the front entrance doors left manned by armed guards.
Reached by another radio station for his reaction, Tupas on Saturday dismissed the suspension yarn as mere speculations made by his political opponents and detractors.
Tupas said he stayed at the Capitol up to early in the evening Friday to wait for the so-called "suspension order" and yet nothing came.
Tupas said rumors about his suspension have persisted since last year but none of it happened.
The governor said, at this moment he could see no basis for the purported suspension as all the cases filed against him in the Office of the Ombudsman have been dismissed.
Independent verification made by The News Today (TNT) failed to get any solid confirmation with the sources eventually traced back to passed-on talks and text messages. Yes, there was a suspension order, a highly-placed source said, however as supposedly per Malacañang's order, such was reconsidered "until further notice."
RMN in a follow-up over the weekend managed to get clearer developments though with reports that the Office of the Ombudsman has indeed resolved at least one Tupas case. A link was made on a supposed DILG order forthcoming to a top official in Batangas, Nueva Ecija and Pasay City. The fourth DILG order supposedly is for Iloilo carrying two orders for perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
RMN evening anchor Novie Guazo disclosed of phone calls received from at least three Iloilo mayors -- two known to be 'anti-Tupas' and one for the governor -- all asking about the network's breaking news.
"Hard copy" of the controversial documents are expected to be out today (Monday) as yet more reports were made of "secret oath-taking" planned for the new Capitol officials "anytime soon."
(With Erly C. Garcia)