Palace hit for not suspending Capiz governor

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) yesterday criticized Malacañang for refusing to dismiss the governor of Capiz, who was accused of extortion.

UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan said Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., a member of the administration Liberal Party, “enjoys the Palace’s selective justice and will remain in office despite a dismissal order imposed on him.”

Tanco and his son Vladimir III were ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly extorting money from a contractor of a government project.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas said Tanco’s case is covered by the Aguinaldo doctrine, which condones any administrative offense of a reelected official committed during his previous terms.

Ilagan said Tanco is an ally of LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas, whose family hails from Capiz.

“The non-implementation of the dismissal order against Gov. Tanco shows that selective justice really exists under this administration,” Ilagan said.

He said the administration is quick to punish elected officials who belong to the opposition and always ready to defend its allies.

“Tanco is being defended by the administration, while Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, an ally of Vice President Jejomar Binay, was immediately suspended even if the investigation has yet to be completed,” he said.

Binay’s son, former Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay, was also removed from office over a building controversy.