ILOILO CITY ? The province of Iloilo was plunged into a political crisis yesterday with two officials claiming to be governor after dismissed Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. refused to relinquish his post to Vice Gov. Roberto Armada.

Tupas refused to abide with the order of Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno implementing the dismissal order of the Office of the Ombudsman for Tupas after finding him guilty of two graft charges.

"I will not step down. I will not abide by an illegal order," Tupas said at the provincial capitol after Armada was sworn into office by DILG Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar at around 4:30 p.m. at the DILG regional office.

Andanar also swore into office provincial board member Emmanuel Gallar as the new vice governor.

The dismissal had not been officially served to Tupas as of 5:25 p.m. after a team of his lawyers, led by his son and provincial board member Niel Jr., refused to accept a copy of the DILG order and Ombudsman decision.

DILG representatives led by regional director Evelyn Trompeta attempted to furnish a copy of the orders through a side entrance of the capitol but they were not allowed to enter the building.

Trompeta said they were not implementing the dismissal order but only furnishing an "advance copy" to the governor.

When informed that Armada and Gallar were already sworn into office while thdy were negotiating with lawyers of Tupas, Trompeta said she was unaware that the officials have assumed office.

"This is patently illegal and deceitful," board member Tupas said. He said his father should be given time to appeal the decision and question it in the courts.

In two separate decisions dated Dec. 4. Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez found Tupas guilty of grave misconduct for illegal disbursements and contributions to the board members league of the province.

The Ombudsman ordered Tupas dismissed from his post and also ordered the cancellation of his eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from government service.

Also found guilty were board members Cecilia Capadosa and Domingo Oso, supposedly Tupas' running mate in the May elections.

The cases were filed by the People's Graft Watch of Iloilo Inc., headed by Oso's brother Msgr. Meliton Oso. Armada said he will abide by the order and will implement his duties as governor.

Around 1,000 of supporters of Tupas flocked around him to block the implementation of the dismissal order.

They started massing up at the grounds of the provincial capitol Sunday evening after the DILG announced that it will implement the decision of the Ombudsman.

Tupas slept at his office at the third floor of the five-story building.

By noon, his supporters coming from several towns of the province spilled to the hallways and offices as they waited for DILG representatives to serve the order.

Board members, municipal mayors, town councilors and barangay officials allied with Tupas also showed their support. They gave speeches in front of the main entrance where a sound system and canopies were installed.

A musical band played and people sang and danced in between the speeches. The operations of offices were disrupted as employees also stood by and awaited developments.

Tension rose several times in the morning with reports that DILG representatives were on their way to the capitol to enforce the order prompting those assembled at the entrance to link arms and block the entrance.

Militant groups led by the partylist group Bayan Muna and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan joined the supporters of the governor.

Nilo Arado, chairman of Bayan-Panay, said the dismissal of Tupas was part of the administration's attacks leveled at officials who are against the administration and who have stood against (President Macapagal) Arroyo's policies.

He pointed out that Tupas has called for the President's resignation and had opposed moves to amend the Constitution, Presidential Proclamation 1017, and other controversial administration measures.

Joshua Alim, chairperson of the United Opposition in Iloilo, said that if there is basis for the charges against the governor, he should be given due process.

"His dismissal is untimely because it is very near the elections," Alim said.*NPB

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