Capitol SP 'accepts with reservation' requests from guv's aide
Numerous referrals and indorsements in the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) now hangs though officially "accepted with reservation."
All coming from Manuel Mejorada, top aide of Governor Niel Tupas, the SP as a matter of course have the respective concerns calendared in the regular sessions. Yet with no SP resolution as of now on the legal status of Mejorada, all and any communication remains as such – hanging and accepted with reservation.
Mejorada is the only choice of Governor Tupas for the position of Provincial Administrator. His re-appointment though came under fire after failing to get the SP nod. The Governor maintains SP nod or not, his man stays while enjoying his full trust and confidence.
To recall, Vice Governor Rolex Suplico exposed in a privilege speech the Civil Service Commission's stance that the positions of Provincial Administrator and Provincial Legal Officer are vacant. This, after no SP approvals were made since the governor was re-elected into a new term.
Mejorada and another Tupas personal choice, lawyer Salvador Cabaluna II were called by Suplico as "private citizens" and "usurpers."
Meanwhile, SP acceptance or not, Mejorada assumes the post of the Provincial Administrator complete with all the authority as openly and publicly displayed.
Ironically, members of the SP body themselves are subject of Mejorada's 'mercy' particularly in all official travels.
The News Today (TNT) learned of the latest practice where all travel orders of the legislative department must bear the joint authority of Mejorada and Governor Tupas written in a letterhead of the "Office of the Provincial Administrator." Without this final requirement, expect no official travel.