UNA hits ‘bias’for admin allies

THE UNITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Monday decried the failure of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to dismiss Liberal Party member and Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco Sr. from office as ordered by the Ombudsman, saying that this was the “crest of the administration’s politicization of justice.”

“It’s a clear case of selective justice when an Ombudsman order to dismiss an administration ally is not implemented, while an order to suspend a member of the opposition is immediately put to effect,” UNA said in a statement.

The Ombudsman earlier ordered the dismissal of Tanco and his son, Vladimir, after finding them guilty of grave misconduct for extorting P3 million from businessman Leodegario Labao Jr., whose firm had won a P32.9-million contract to repair the Mambusao District Hospital.

Labao filed the complaint in 2011. Tanco, however, was elected to a third term in 2013.

According to UNA, it believes Tanco enjoys the protection of Malacañang and would keep his post despite the dismissal order.

“The DILG’s non-removal of Governor Tanco despite the order of dismissal from the Ombudsman is another example of the selective justice of this administration,” UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said.

The DILG earlier said it could not dismiss Tanco because his case was covered by the Aguinaldo doctrine, which states that reelected local official may not be held administratively accountable for misconduct committed during an earlier term. Leila B. Salaverria