2 OICs stir up trouble at PCGG

MANILA, Philippines - The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has two officials sitting as officer-in-charge.                      

The agency’s director for research, Danilo Daniel, assumed the post last July 1 in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued by Malacañang, stipulating that all government executives coterminous with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are deemed resigned effective June 30.

Daniel is the most senior officer of the agency next to the chairman and the four commissioners. He had issued a memorandum circular saying he had assumed the post. PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede, however, assumed the position of OIC, citing an order from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to “hold everything” until the intention of the memorandum circular has been clarified with Malacañang.

In a phone interview, Abcede said the order was issued though De Lima’s executive assistant, lawyer Jeffrey Sison. He likewise issued his own order announcing this.

He said that being a division director, Daniel could not be seated as commissioner because PCGG is a collegial body.

“A director cannot lead this commission. At least, a commissioner should stay on as OIC (officer-in-charge). It’s a collegial body,” Abcede said.

Abcede maintained that he assumed leadership of the agency to prevent the demoralization caused by Daniel when he ordered the dismissal of some PCGG employees.                       

“I don’t want to give them the impression that I’m clinging to my post,” Abcede said. “I am serving as officer-in-charge being the most senior of the commissioners.”                          

He said that he had no personal quarrel with Daniel when he decided to take over as OIC.

“It’s nothing personal. I like the guy. But he cannot be dismissing people. The lives of the people are at stake,” Abcede said.