Palace order on suspension of Abra Vice-Gov final, executory

BAGUIO CITY (September 29, 2024)— The Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) of the Office of the President declared the suspension of Abra Vice-Governor Joy Valera-Bernos as final and executory.

Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) Anna Liza G. Logan in an order released Monday last week (September 23, 2024) said there was no Motion for Reconsideration filed before them as of September 13, 2024 in connection to the suspension slapped against Valera-Bernos. 

The decision by the Office of the Executice Secretary Lucas Bersamin was promulgated by the DESLA on August 12, 2024.

Valera-Bernos was suspended for 18 months after she was found guilty of oppression and abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and disobedience to national government policies prompted by a complaint by Dr. Voltaire Seares on December 2020 when Valera-Bernos was then the governor after she locked down the Dr. Petronillo Seares Memorial Hospital in Bangued due to a June 2020 Covid case.

Seares, the hospital’s administrator, claimed that the provincial government’s response included erecting barricades around it and placing the barangay where it is located under Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine. The lockdown deprived the public of essential services from the hospital, the physician claimed in his complaint.

Valera-Bernos obtained a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on September 13, 2024, but lapsed on September 23, 2024.

Atty. Logan in her order by authority of Executive Secretary Bersamin said no appeal was filed with the Court of Appeals (CA) contradicting the Valera-Bernos’ suspension as of September 17, 2024, “Thus, the 12 August 2024 is hereby declared Final and Executory.