Duterte authorizes DILG chief to fill in temporary vacancies in local elective posts

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an administrative order authorizing the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or its Officer-in-Charge (OIC) to fill in temporary vacancies in certain local elective offices.

Under AO 15 which Duterte signed on Thursday, when the governor, the city or municipal mayor, or the barangay chairman is temporarily incapacitated to perform his duties, the vice-governor, city or municipal vice mayor, or the highest ranking Sangguniang Barangay member, shall automatically perform the duties and functions of the local chief executive concerned.

“For the purpose of succession, ranking in the Sanggunian shall be determined on the basis of the proportion of votes obtained by each winning candidate to the total number of registered voters in the immediately preceding local election,” the AO stated.

However, the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss employees can only be exercised by the designated officials if the period of temporary incapacity exceeds 30 working days.

If the vice governor or vice mayor is temporarily incapacitated, the AO noted that the highest ranking Sanggunian member shall be designated by the President, through the Secretary of the DILG (SILG) or the OIC-DILG.

Temporary vacancies in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, Sangguniang Baranggay shall be filled in by the President, through the SILG or the OIC-DILG, the order noted.

In case of multiple vacancies, the SILG or the OIC-DILG may make simultaneous appointments or designations, “provided that the rules in the previous sections shall be strictly observed.”

The SILG or the OIC-DILG shall issue the necessary rules, orders, and circulars as may be necessary for the implemntation of AO 15.

The SILG or the OIC-DILG is also mandated to submit to the President a quarterly report on the implementation of the AO. However, the report on all appointments or designations should be made within 15 days of such appointment or designation. /ee