The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) suggested taking away Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac’s control over the local police force on Monday.

Benhur Abalos, the secretary of interior and local government, made the announcement in light of Guo’s alleged connections to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in Bamban.

“Local officials have supervision over the police, so ang gagawin namin ngayon — I have instructed the Napolcom to initiate proceedings for the withdrawal of the mayor’s deputization,” Abalos said during a media briefing on Monday in Camp Crame.

DILG has no power to suspend local officials, urges Ombudsman to suspend Guo

The Secretary stated that in the event that an inquiry reveals adequate justification, Guo’s deputization by the National Police Commission may be revoked.

Abalos added that the DILG lacks the authority to suspend municipal officials.

“Walang kapangyarihan ang DILG na mag-preventive suspension. Wala kaming kapangyarihan mag-dismiss ng tao. Wala kaming kapangyarihan magsuspindi ng tao, maski mag-reprimand. Wala po sa DILG yun,” he said.

The DILG had already recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that Guo be suspended due to unanswered issues about her personal background and alleged unlawful activities in Bamban.

“The DILG recommended to the Ombudsman the issuance of a preventive suspension against Mayor Guo, to prevent any influence on the continuing investigations of our and other agencies,” he said in a statement issued Saturday.

“The DILG does not have the power to directly suspend or dismiss local officials. Hence, the DILG defers to the Ombudsman regarding any sanctions that may be imposed against Guo, in line with its disciplinary authority over elective officials of local governments under Section 21 of Republic Act No. 6770.” the statement added, referring to the Ombudsman Act of 1989.

According to RA 6770, Cabinet members, municipal authorities, corporations that are owned or controlled by the government (GOCCs), and their subsidiaries are all subject to the Office of the Ombudsman’s “disciplinary authority over all elective and appointive officials of the government” as well as its agencies. Not covered are officials who can be impeached.

“On this important issue, united in our shared mission of protecting our local institutions and furthering public interest,” Abalos stated that the DILG would work with the Ombudsman and other investigative agencies.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.

Elected LGU heads deputized as NAPOLCOM Reps, deputation can be suspended by the Commission

When elected, governors and mayors are deputized as Napolcom representatives, according to National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) regulations. According to NAPOLCOM Memorandum Circular 99-010, some of their responsibilities include exercising operational supervision and control over police units and people in their jurisdictions, as well as selecting the local chief of police.

Abalos serves as NAPOLCOM’s ex-officio chairman in his capacity as DILG secretary.

Deputation can be suspended or revoked for frequent illegal absences, abuse of authority, providing material support to criminals, and “engaging in acts inimical to national security” or that impede the government’s peace and order effort.

The NAPOLCOM regional director may start the withdrawal or suspension of delegation after investigating a complaint or report against a local chief executive and consulting with the provincial governor and the district representative of the city or town in question.

The results and recommendations will be forwarded to the Napolcom for final review.

The DILG ruling comes after the controversial mayor skipped her municipal hall’s flag-raising ceremony earlier that day. Some municipal employees and supporters gathered near the building prior to the ceremony to express their support for her.

📷 Mayor Alice Leal Guo FB