DILG installs Acting Vice Gov in Abra

BAGUIO CITY (November 17, 2024) -- The Interior department installed the first ranking member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in Abra -- Lawyer Russel Bragas -- as Acting Vice Governor, thus sealing the vacancy prompted by the final ruling of the Office of the President on Vice Governor Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos 18-month suspension.

Atty. Bragas on Friday, November 15, 2024, received his designation from DILG chief Juanito Victor C. Remulla via DILG-Cordillera regional director Araceli A. San Juan, ordering him to take over the post from Vice Gov. Bernos, “to prevent hiatus in, and paralysis, of local government operations,” and further citing DILG Memorandum Circular 2019-21 that stipulate do operational guidelines governing local government operations.

Earlier in August, the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) of the Office of the President ruled for an 18 month suspension for Valera-Bernos after she was found guilty of oppression, abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and disobedience to national government policies stemming from a complaint filed in December 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Dr. Voltaire L. Seares the medical director of Dr. Petronillo Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital complained against Valera-Bernos’ unjust imposition of a lockdown at the said hospital resulting in the delay and denial of the services to the people of Abra.

Though on September 13, 2024, a local Court in Abra granted the petition of Valera-Bernos for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the suspension order, which lapsed on September 23, 2024.

In a final and executory order by the Office of the President on September 23, 2024, though,  Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) of the Office of the Executive Secretary Anna Liza G. Logan said, Valera-Bernos failed to move for a reconsideration on her 18-month suspension before the OP.

She likewise ruled by authority of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin that Valera-Bernos did not appeal the August, 2024 18-motn suspension before Court of Appeals (CA), which is the proper venue for appeals concerning administrative sanctions by the OP.

DILG chief Remulla stressed in his order to Atty. Bragas, "you shall discharge the powers and perform the duties and functions of a Vice Governor as mandated by law subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.