‘Capiz governor can’t be dismissed’

MANILA, Philippines – The dismissal order against Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. can no longer be implemented as the Office of the Ombudsman has declared that the Aguinaldo Doctrine applies to the case, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said over the weekend.

The doctrine declares moot the administrative cases against reelected officials filed during their previous terms.

Earlier, the DILG asked the ombudsman to determine whether or not the Aguinaldo Doctrine could be applied to Tanco’s case, noting the offenses appeared to have been committed in 2011.

Tanco was reelected in 2013 elections.

It is a matter of procedure for the DILG to clarify first with the ombudsman whether the doctrine can be applied before taking actions on decisions, orders or resolutions imposed on elective officials.

In a letter dated Nov. 16, the ombudsman informed the DILG that Tanco’s reelection condones any administrative offense he supposedly committed.

On June 1, the ombudsman dismissed and disqualified Tanco and his son, security officer Vladimir Tanco, from holding any public office for misconduct.

The DILG said it would implement the dismissal order against Vladimir, as the doctrine was not applicable to his case. – With Mike Frialde