‘Ugly politics’: Davao del Sur employees resign

DIGOS CITY—At least 17 provincial officials of Davao del Sur resigned from their posts on Wednesday, barely a day after Gov. Douglas Cagas was released on bail from the district jail here.

Cagas, charged with the 2010 murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido, reported for work as soon as he was released from jail after posting P1 million in bail.

In a statement read by provincial planning officer Robert Bellarmine Bajo, the resigned officials said they “could no longer work harmoniously and effectively with the current administration.”

Bajo clarified the resignations were “just courtesy but irrevocable ones.”

“We could no longer be at peace with new governor, so it would be much better to give up our jobs to those he (Cagas) thinks could perform the way he wants,” he said.

Cagas has not issued any comment on the resignation of the officials, who included provincial budget officer Ma. Cecilia Domingo, provincial accountant Dorothy Joy Angeles Ramos, human resource management officer Dimples Lapaz and general services officer Genaro Dumayas, among others.

“This is ugly politics,” a source said, adding that provincial officials and employees are expected to perform their duties regardless of who the governor is./rga