The League of Provinces of the Philippines and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines have passed resolutions calling for due process in the investigation and action taken on government elected officials, especially since the election period has already began, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, president of both groups, said yesterday.

Aumentado told the DAILY STAR in a telephone interview that the calls in both resolutions were addressed to the Ombudsman, Department of Interior and Local Governments, Department of Justice and the Office of the President.

He said the ULAP resolution was passed Jan. 11 and the League of Provinces of the Philippines resolution on Jan. 12 in the light of recent suspension and dismissal orders issued against local government officials.

The governors are also set to meet with the President on Feb. 2 where they will reiterate their call for due process to be followed in the suspension and dismissal of local government officials, Aumentado said .

They will also ask that agencies under the jurisdiction of the president such as the Department of Interior and Local Government hold off suspensions and dismissals during the election period, he said.

If possible, so long as cases are still pending, we will ask that decisions be made after the elections, he said.

Anyway, he said, issues against local officials who may have committed offenses will be ventilated during the election campaign and the people will decide whether to vote for them or not.

The election period from Jan. 14 to June 13 has began and among the prohibitions is the suspension of local government officials.

Meanwhile, Aumentado said the President has nothing to do with the suspension and dismissal of government officials by the Office of the Ombudsman that reached decisions based on evidence, and she should not be blamed for them.

He pointed out that some of the local officials involved are even pro-administration.

Aumentado said that as tension rose in Iloilo City Wednesday afternoon when the police prepared to serve the dismissal order on Gov. Niel Tupas, he called the Court of Appeals executive justice in Cebu to appeal for an early resolution to avert violence.

He said he also appealed for calm and sobriety among the Iloilo officials involved, and as soon as the temporary restraining order was released by the CA, he informed the President, DILG and PNP Chief Oscar Calderon.*CPG

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