TROed Abra Vice Governor suspension lapses

BAGUIO CITY (September 26, 2024) -- Abra Sangunniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Russel Bragas is still yet to hear final instructions from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) before taking-over as acting Vice-Governor of the province.

Bragas, a lawyer, and the province’s number one SP member, said he is “awaiting a written order from the DILG” on the lapse of the 20-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued in favor of suspended Vice Governor Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos.

On August 12, 2024, the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA) of the Office of the President ordered an 18-month suspension of Valera-Bernos after finding her guilty of oppression and abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming of a public official and disobedience to national government policies.

The lady governor’s suspension stemmed from the complaint on December 2020 by Dr. Voltaire Seares, medical director of the Dr. Petronillo Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital, which was placed under lockdown by then Gov. Valera-Bernos prompted by a COVID-19 case involving a hospital nurse in June 2020.

But Dr. Seares complained the provincial government’s response included erecting barricades around the hospital and placing the Barangay where it is located under Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine, which according to the physician, deprived the public of essential hospital services.



The Interior department installed Atty. Bragas as acting vice governor, citing the rule of succession on August 27, 2024, but on September 2, the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Bangued issued the 20-day TRO against the Office of the President’s suspension that lapsed on September 23.