Malacañang re-imposes suspension on Davao del Norte Governor Jubahib

This latest suspension is due to the active participation of Edwin Jubahib in a motorcade in support of a House of Representatives bill to expand the concession area of ​​the Davao Light and Power Company, which is slated to replace Nordeco.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Just before Edwin Jubahib was set to resume his duties as governor of Davao del Norte after a 60-day suspension, he was again provisionally suspended, this time for participating in a rally against the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).

According to a Newsline source, Governor Jubahib received the suspension order directly from the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Abdullah Matalam at the Tahanan ng Gobernador in Tagum City at around 4:20 p.m. on Friday, June 7. The order was later delivered to Newsline on Saturday afternoon, June 8.

On April 10, the President’s Office imposed a 60-day preventive suspension on Jubahib over a vehicle. The governor was due to return to the capital on Monday, June 10, but was suspended again a few days before his inauguration.

The four-page suspension order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on June 4, states: “The urgent suspension is GRANTED pursuant to Section 53(a) and (b) of Republic Act 7160 and Section 1.8 of Administrative Code No. 23, Series of 1992, as amended. Governor Edwin I. Jubahib is placed under PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION for 30 DAYS, effective immediately upon receipt.”

This latest suspension was due to Jubahib’s active participation in a motorcade that supported a House bill to expand the concession area of ​​the Davao Light and Power Company, which would replace Nordeco. The case was filed under docket numbers OP-IAD-23-E-004 by Diahne Czari L. Semic and others, OP-IAD-23-F-002 by Roy C. Baco and others, and OP-IAD-23-G-009 by Director Ernido Malone and others, and states that Jubahib admitted in his defense that he supported the rally.

He also admitted that he had registered government vehicles and asked employees of the provincial capital to join the motorcade, which he said was part of his public duties.

The complainants reportedly represented Nordeco and SEMIC, a group of cooperative representatives.

Jubahib has been a vocal critic of Nordeco, citing inadequate service and frequent power outages as significant obstacles to business opportunities in Davao del Norte. Residents of the island garden city of Samal in particular have suffered from the cooperative’s poor performance, leading to calls for the introduction of a more reliable power provider.

Newsline has attempted to reach Jubahib for comment, but he has not responded to calls or messages at the time of publication.

This suspension was the second consecutive preventive suspension for Jubahib, who has been facing increasing criticism and controversy. His recent suspension for advocating for improved power supply underscored the general regional discontent with Nordeco and highlighted the contentious political climate in Davao del Norte.

Jubahib’s strong support for replacing Nordeco was based on his commitment to promoting economic growth and ensuring a reliable electricity supply for his constituents. However, his direct involvement in the rally and the use of state resources have raised doubts about the appropriateness of his actions and resulted in significant administrative consequences.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the political dynamics in Davao del Norte and on Jubahib’s leadership and future in public service. – Rappler.com

This article with the original headline “Office of the President imposes another 30-day preventive suspension on Gov. Jubahib” was republished with permission from Newsline Philippines.