Mabugat explains controversial resignation, totally cuts off Capitol ties
Resigned warden (retired) Police Senior Superintendent Juan Mabugat finally came out and broke his silence on his now controversial decision to leave the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) management.
Seen as well as his official exit from the camp of Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Senior Supt. Mabugat spoke yesterday and broke his silence with The News Today (TNT).
Saying that more than ever he is ready to move on to private life, Mabugat went out to clarify with TNT the unsavory talks and news reports painting a disgruntled warden over money and IRC food-issue.
Yes, his resignation was somehow brought by food-matters inside the jail but a big no, he maintained, on insinuations that he wanted any control or share in the catering deal here.
Food inside the IRC is being catered by the same concessionaire of the new Capitol building canteen. A decision, he pointed out, that was way out of his hands and authority.
"It all started with the complaints of the inmates," Mabugat began. "Initially the inmates' plan was to hold a noise barrage in order to make their sentiments known against the quality of food being served to them. I prevailed upon them knowing that this will again cause some damage to the IRC. The inmates then appealed to have their plight known through the media so I allowed that. What happened next was that some advisers of the governor told him that it was me who instigated the inmates."
Mabugat was informed thereafter that an investigation will be conducted by Governor Tupas with the probe supposedly focused on the inmates' complaints.
"So in order to let them have a free hand in the investigation, I filed for a ten-day leave of absence. I went through the regular process, had my leave approved by the governor himself and then appointed Security Officer (SO) III Jimmy Almendros as officer-in-charge. To my surprise, I was told the day after that the appointment of SOIII Almendros was revoked and that a temporary replacement for warden was installed and next thing I knew, they were saying that I went on indefinite leave," he continued. "How can that be? It was the governor himself who signed my ten-day leave of absence!"
Mabugat then posed several questions as to why there was a seeming "panic" in his decision to go on leave.
"Why? What is the mystery behind it? Why the panic? Why are they being defensive?," he asked. "Honestly, I really had no intention of resigning but after what they did to me… the governor, he called me asking when my official leave ends. I told him that I am supposed to be back on October 17th. He said that by then I am to report in the Capitol as Chief Security. I did not say yes or no. But it was adding insult to injury. A slap on my face. What will I do there when the position I applied for was warden of the IRC? Do I consider the employees and the people in the Capitol prisoners? So Why should I stay with them when I am no longer wanted?"
Asked whether there is room for reconsideration, Mabugat quipped "let me clarify that I have nothing against the governor and his family. But no, I will not return to the Capitol. See, if I have to, there will be a lot of compromises and I don't want the governor to be caught in the middle. This is my supreme sacrifice for the governor's sake."
What further complicated the situation, Mabugat disclosed, were talks he heard in the past days, and most he shared, came from the circle of advisers of the governor.
"I admit I am unpopular among the consultants surrounding Governor Tupas but you see, I did not reach the rank of police colonel for nothing," he added. "I am leader who is a follower of what is true, what is fair and what is right. And I would rather be humiliated and maligned for doing right than humiliated and maligned for doing nothing."
And his message to former allies cum advisers in the governor's office?
"When I resigned, I really resigned. Indi ako kapit-tuko," he said.
A respected police officer who rose from the ranks and held sensitive positions including his stint as regional director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Mabugat in his resignation said he did so if only to protect and preserve his integrity.
"It seemed like history repeated itself," Mabugat added in hindsight referring to the turn-over years back in Police Regional Office 7 in Cebu.
Chief Superintendent Tiburcio Fusilero then acknowledged Mabugat in his speech before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo saying "I would like you all to know that for upholding the truth, Col. Mabugat has been relieved of his post as CIDG 7 commanding officer for his alleged failure to come up with false testimonies against me."
"Life goes on. I am ready to move on," Mabugat ended.
Meanwhile, Tupas confirmed Monday that Mabugat had a conflict with the caterer of food being served to IRC prisoners.
Tupas, however, refused to elaborate on the matter.
He welcomed Mabugat's resignation saying, "it is his decision so I respect it."