IPPO chief, 2 IRC execs guaranteed 'no-show' in SP jail probe
Legislative investigation on the operation and management of the multi-million Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) continues today. Or so it should be, yet in a belated (mis) development yesterday, The News Today (TNT) gathered that all three invited resource persons are guaranteed no-shows. One managed to send an official "excuse letter" though and was forthright with his reason – he is not showing up because he did not get the clearance from Governor Niel Tupas Sr.
The excuse came from Senior Superintendent Ricardo Dela Paz, highest ranking police officer in the province serving as the concurrent jail warden. Top cop he may be yet Dela Paz told the SP probers – "Under existing procedures, the undersigned needs such authority before he can respond positively to invitations from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan."
The letter was addressed to First District Board Member Richard Garin, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, main committee tasked to conduct the investigation.
The committee hearing is slated at 10 am and set to be open for media coverage. Investigation was triggered by the February attack on an inmate by fellow inmates. With the incident as primary subject, the committee decided to use the matter as opportunity to take a deeper look on the operation and over-all jail management.
Dela Paz, in his excuse letter, added though that what the SP wants had already been probed. In fact, he said, suspension of three jail guards was recommended. Further still, he continued, "the Office of the Governor is also conducting its own investigation on the matter."
Other than Dela Paz, the committee also sent invites to retired Police Senior Supt. Roberto Nufable, IRC consultant and Security Officer III Jimmy Almendros.
Last week's committee hearing heard the accounts of retired Police Senior Supt. Juan Mabugat, former IRC warden. Mabugat's appearance and corresponding disclosures was made in a closed-door Executive Session of the committee.
Relatedly, an in-house memorandum was passed last week to Capitol chiefs, IRC and hospital chiefs that call for prior authority for anybody out to release documents. Signatory of said memorandum is the governor's aide, Manuel Mejorada in his capacity as the purported provincial administrator.
To note, Mejorada's post is subject of controversy with a local Court decision ruling against his favor.