Abra Vice Gov. Bernos suspended over hospital closure during pandemic

Abra Vice Governor Jocelyn Valera-Bernos (Photo from Abra Province/FACEBOOK PAGE)

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang confirmed on Saturday that it has ordered the suspension of Abra Vice Governor Maria Jocelyn Valera-Bernos for locking down a hospital during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when she served as the province’s governor.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed the suspension to reporters.

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When asked if the order was confirmed, Bersamin simply replied, “Yes.”

In a statement issued on August 22, Valera-Bernos condemned the 18-month suspension imposed by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs under the Office of the President.

“I was the governor of the province at that time when Seares Hospital filed a complaint at the Office of the Ombudsman against me and other provincial officials for a decision I made for the sole purpose of ensuring the safety of all Abreños from the threats of COVID-19,” she said in the statement.

“It was never aimed to target any specific hospital, but a necessary and immediate action to mitigate the probable spread of the virus when, at that time, no known control and vaccine were available,” she added.

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She pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman already dismissed the complaint against her.

“On May 4, 2022, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint and ruled that my actions were done in good faith and within the bounds of my duty as a public servant during a state of calamity,” Valera-Bernos said.

The official also called the order a “politically-motivated character and reputation attacks.”