SP censures Armada
Vice Governor Roberto Armada
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo has censured Vice Governor Roberto Armada for committing four consecutive unexcused absences in the SP's regular sessions.
Voting 9-3, the SP adopted the joint committee report of the committee on rules and ethics, chaired by Board Member Domingo Oso Jr. and committee on good government chaired by Board Member Rodolfo Cabado.
The three who voted against the committee report were board members Bernardo Silla, Macario Napulan and Emmanuel Gallar.
Censure is among the disciplinary actions that could be meted among members of the provincial board who violate their internal rules and regulations.
The joint committee ruled that Armada committed "unexcused" absences as the SP secretariat did not receive any leave of absence from him.
The committee cited the January 19 memorandum issued by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar directing Armada to resume his post as vice governor.
Earlier, Armada through a letter sent to the SP secretariat claimed that he filed his leave of absence with the DILG central office.
However, the committee noted that they were not furnished of said communication.
Armada has been absent from SP sessions dated January 23, 30, February 6 and 13. Yesterday was his fifth absence.
Armada refused to appear in SP sessions as he is in a quandary about his real status, said Atty. Ma. Rita Sarabia, his counsel, during the hearing conducted by the joint committees.
Sarabia said because of his situation Armada filed an indefinite leave of absence at the DILG.
Sarabia further said that her client also sought the legal opinions of the DILG legal department and the Solicitor General regarding his status.
USec. Andanar administered oath as governor to Armada last January 15 following the dismissal order of the Ombudsman against Governor Tupas and Board Members Oso and Cecilia Capadosa.
Tupas, however, refused to leave his post which led to the much publicized police attack on the capitol on January 17, the same day the Court of Appeals granted a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) in his favor.
On January 19, DILG issued a memorandum directing Armada to return to his position as vice governor but he refused to heed the order claiming that a mere memorandum could not revoke his oath of office as governor.
Meantime, both parties are awaiting the CA decision whether to lift the TRO or grant a permanent injunction in favor of Tupas.