THE Department of Interior and Local Government has issued show-cause orders (SCOs) against Bukidnon Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri, two other governors and four mayors for allegedly violating the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines issued by the national government.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año gave the local executives 48 hours to submit a written explanation stating clearly why no administrative cases should be filed against them for negligence, dereliction of duty, and violation of the Bayanihan Act.
Año said if the local officials fail to submit their written explanations, criminal charges will be filed against them by the National Bureau of Investigation, and administrative charges will also be lodged against them.
In its televised report, GMA 7 identified the local executives as Zubiri, Abra Gov. Jocelyn Bernos, Antigue Gov. Rhodora Cadiao; Noveleta, Cavite town Mayor Dino Reyes Chua; Talisay, Batangas town Mayor Gerry Natanahan; Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino; and Dao, Cavite town Mayor Ernesto Escutin.
The TV report cited hampering the flow of trucks with essential cargo; stopping food production; not enforcing social distancing; and not allowing the return of an OFW despite a health permit, as among the reasons why the local exrcutives were asked to explain by the DILG.
“As directed by the President himself, we will not go easy on local government officials who will violate the prescribed directives during the ECQ,” Año said. (Froilan Gallardo)
