Bersamin: No violation of rights to due process in Davao del Norte governor's suspension

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Saturday maintained that there was no violation of right to due process after it ordered a preventive suspension of Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib.

Jubahib was suspended amid complaints of alleged "misuse of authority, potential oppression, and the utilization of government funds to advance the interests of a private company."

The suspension order was signed by the executive secretary.

"The issuance of the preventive suspension did not violate Gov. Jubahib’s right to due process. Firstly, this office ordered the respondent’s suspension to prevent any undue interference in the conduct of the investigation," Bersamin said in a statement.

"Secondly, the preventive suspension of Gov. Jubahib was ordered only after the issues were joined in accordance with Section 63 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160 and Sections 1 and 4, Rule 6 of Administrative Order No. 23 series of 1992," Bersamin added. 

Jubahib previously claimed that the suspension was "pure political harassment" and vowed not to step down.

He said that the affidavit complaint for "grave abuse of authority and oppression" was filed by a Board Member of the province and did not merit a suspension order.

He also said that he was not given the chance to answer the allegations before the suspension came.  

During the serving of the order, Jubahib's supporters reportedly barricaded the gates of the Provincial Capitol.

“Let us fight the harassment, injustice, and power tripping perpetrated by the people who are greedy for power,” the governor told his supporters.

The OP, however, maintained that it made a "thorough assessment of the administrative complaint."

"The OP found that the complaint sufficiently alleged grave abuse of authority and oppression on the part of Gov. Jubahib," said the OP.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Oyo Uy was appointed as officer-in-charge (OIC) for 60 days but Jubahib is set to file a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Supreme Court. —VAL, GMA Integrated News