New Iloilo governor assumes office

ILOILO CITY — The province of Iloilo now has two governors.

This developed after Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar swore into office Vice Gov. Roberto Armada yesterday afternoon at the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Gov. Niel Tupas, who was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for questionable disbursement of public funds, insisted that he is still the governor because the order of dismissal is not yet final and executory, and that they have 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.

"In the meantime, I remain governor," Tupas said.

Armada, on the other hand, said he will be formally assume office today and will be informing the Office of the President, the DILG, the depositary banks of the province, and the mayors that he has assumed office as the new governor.

He will also issue an executive order calling for an inventory of the cash, properties and personnel of the province and will schedule a meeting with department heads of the Capitol.

Asked whether he will order Tupas to be taken out of the provincial Capitol, Armada curtly replied, "That is already a police matter. If they want to stay at the Capitol, let them stay there for as long they will not vandalize or destroy the property," Armada was quoted as saying.

Speaking before his supporters, numbering about 500, at the driveway of the provincial Capitol, Tupas said he will not give in to the order for his dismissal, and declared that he will seek a third term in May.

The governor, who has been in politics since the early ’70s, said he will file a motion for reconsideration within the next 15 days.

Supporters of Tupas started trooping to the provincial capitol Sunday evening and have formed a human barricade to prevent the Ombudsman’s dismissal order from being served. Two other officials were ordered suspended over an alleged ‘ghost’ financial assistance.

Earlier yesterday, Tupas wrote Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta, Armada, and Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Dulay the Ombudsman’s order for his dismissal "is not yet immediately executory. It is subject to appeal and it could only be executed or implemented when it is already final and executory."

The complaint against the officials was initiated by People’s Graftwatch of Iloilo Inc., a non-government organization composed of professionals.

As supporters troop to the Capitol premises Sunday evening, workers were seen hauling mattresses to the third floor, where the two-termer governor holds office. Tupas, his family and their supporters spent the night at the Capitol. He has never left the building since Sunday afternoon.

Meals and coffee were served to the supporters. Dump trucks barricaded the three main entrances to the Capitol on Sunday evening.

Private security guards and those from the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center tightened security. IRC warden, retired Senior Superintendent Juan Mabugat, was himself at the entrance, personally supervising people coming in and out of the Capitol.

At the driveway fronting the main entrance, an estimated 500 supporters of Tupas held an impromptu rally, with a musical band. Town mayors and councilors took turns expressing their support for Tupas, and working up the governor’s supporters.

Despite the appearances, Tupas refused to say that they were barricading the Capitol to prevent the service of the dismissal order.

The trucks and the additional security personnel, Tupas explained, are for security purposes.

Nevertheless, Tupas said that it is ‘business as usual’ in the Capitol.

Nonetheless, Armada called on Capitol employees to continue working.

"Don’t involve yourselves in any partisan political activity. Go back to work, entertain the people entering the Capitol. Today is Monday, many people are transacting business in the Capitol," the vice governor said yesterday.

The offices of the Provincial Treasurer and the Assessor, usually busy on a Monday, were empty.