13 March 2012

Hon. LEONARDO E. CRUZ
Municipal Vice-Mayor
DInalupihan, Bataan

Dear VM Cruz,

This pertains to your query contained in a letter dated 12 March 2012 and received by this Level on 13 March 2012.  Before your letter, this level is also in receipt of copies of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 19 increasing the penalty imposed against PB Alfredo Santos, Jr., of Brgy. Luakan, Dinalupihan [from reprimand to six months and one (6 and 1) day punitive suspension] and Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 28-2012, ordering MLGOO Yvette R. Cosio to implement the same.

    Before dwelling on your query, allow us first to discuss some points in the above-mentioned Resolutions with a hope to somehow shed light on your queries.  However, this opinion is not in any way intended to rule on the validity of the aforesaid Resolutions.

    Per SP Resolution No. 119, the Sangguniang Bayan of Dinalupihan was found to have gravely erred in imposing the penalty of reprimand only taking into consideration the alleged gravity of the offense.  Thus, the penalty of suspension for a period of six (6) months and one (1) day without pay is substituted with the penalty of reprimand, as ordered by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan.

    The Local Government Code lays the jurisdiction in Administrative Appeals, to wit:

“Section 67.  Administrative Appeals. – Decisions in administrative cases may, within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof, be appealed to the following:

(a)    The sangguniang panlalawigan, in the case of decision of the sangguniang panlungsod of component cities and the sangguniang bayan; xxx

Based on the foregoing provision, it is correct that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan assumed jurisdiction over the case.  The only question is whether or not it is proper for the complainant, being the aggrieved party to appeal in administrative case.  It has been the usual scenario that it is the respondent who appeals the case.  Be that as it may, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan already rendered its Decision via Resolution; thus, we defer to comment on the same because the propriety of every Resolution and Ordinance must properly be questioned before the regular court.  With regard to the imposition of the penalty of suspension, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan adopted the Opinion rendered by the Provincial Legal Officer, imposing the penalty of six (6) months and one (1) day against PB Santos. 

This is somehow objectionable if the provision of the Local Government Code would be followed, particularly, Section 66 (b) thereof, which reads:

“Section 66.  Form and Notice of Decision. – (a)xxx; (b)  The penalty of suspension shall not exceed the unexpired term of the respondent or a period of six (6) months for every administrative offense, xxx.”

With all due respect to the Legal Opinion of the Provincial Legal Officer, the cases cited being used as the basis for imposing the penalty of six (6) months and one (1) day are cases involving appointive public officials and not elective officials.  The Legal Service of this level conducted a research on the cited cases so as to verify whether or not they are applicable to the instant case.  However, this level is not questioning the propriety of the penalty imposed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, for to do so, we would be interfering with the functions of the LGUs which are enjoying local autonomy.  The respondent can raise the issue before the regular court.

With regard to the Resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan ordering our field officer to implement the Resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, we are of the opinion that it is quite inappropriate.  Please be informed that the DILG has supervisory functions over LGUs and does not carry with it the power or authority to discipline elective officials.  It is the Local Chief Executive who instills discipline upon elective barangay officials.  Further, we are of the belief that our field officers act on matters according to the instructions of the Hon Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.  Thus, before our field officers act on such matters, we believe that it is but proper for the sanggunian concerned to accord respect to the Hon. SILG by requesting before the Hon. Secretary an authority to send our field officers to execute the Decision of the local sanggunian. 

Based on the foregoing premises, we regret to inform you that Ms. Yvette Cosio cannot implement the same without the imprimatur of the Hon. SILG.  As a sign of courtesy to the SILG, the Sangguniang Bayan should have sent a request to the Central Office thru channel, requesting our field officer to implement the said local sanggunian Decision.

With regard to your queries as to the interpretation of your IRP and the Resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan together with the imposition of new penalty, we defer to comment on said matters as respective Resolutions to that effect have been passed and only a court action could interpret the same by filing a petition for Declaratory Relief under the Rules of Court.

Hope to have enlightened you.
                           
Very truly yours,


(sgd.)
FLORIDA M. DIJAN, DPA, CESO IV
Regional Director

Copy Furnished:
Ms. Amada T. Dumagat            Ms. Yvette R. Cosio
OIC-Provincial Director             MLGOO
Bataan                                  Dinalupihan, Bataan