Mabugat resigns as IRC warden
After six years of dedication to the celebrated administration of Governor Niel Tupas Sr., all it took was 72 words for retired Senior Superintendent Juan Mabugat to end such dedication.
Seventy-two words that were curt and simple with a straightforward message – the resignation is irrevocable in what Senior Supt. Mabugat said was "To preserve my integrity and to protect my service reputation which I treasure most in my 32 years in the military and the police service."
Officially appointed as "Provincial Government Assistant Department Head" with salary grade 24 and step increment 2, Mabugat was the jail warden of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) getting a yearly pay of P256,116.00.
Today marks his first day out of the provincial government's employ and officially out of the governor's group of loyalists. Official declaration has yet to be made on Mabugat's fate yet the governor in a 'surprise' move appointed last week an officer-in-charge in the IRC. Word from the Governor's Office was that Mabugat was temporarily replaced following an indefinite leave of absence.
The News Today (TNT) in a text message though was then told by the warden that he was just on a 15-day leave. Talks in and out of the Capitol then abound that Mabugat will be kicked out from his post and will instead be offered the post of chief security in the Capitol. Blue guards currently assigned in the new Capitol building welcomed the news though posed questions as to what will happen to their own supervisors.
Yet with yesterday's resignation letter, all talks of continued Capitol employ for Mabugat ended as he went on to express his gratitude to the governor.
"I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and the people of the Province of Iloilo," Mabugat's resignation letter ended followed by his signature.
The letter was dated October 15, 2007 and was to take effect immediately with the resignation "irrevocable."
Tupas for his part accepted Mabugat's resignation. The governor said he respects the decision of the former IRC warden.
Tupas however denied rumors that there is bad blood between him and Mabugat.
Mabugat personally gave his resignation letter to the governor yesterday morning.
He refused to elaborate his reasons for resigning when interviewed by the media.
Tupas said the IRC will be temporarily headed by Iloilo Provincial Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz in concurrent capacity.