AT LEAST three lawmakers said Tuesday the firing of Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno may set a precedent of "summary removal" of government officials sans the benefit of a proper investigation.
According to Siquijor Representative Ramon Rocamora, Sueno was a "competent" Cabinet secretary that passed the scrutiny of the Commission on Appointments.
"I am saddened by Mike Sueno's removal as I believe he is competent…He should be properly investigated before being removed," he said.
Rocamora also said that the government risks becoming "unstable" when officials are fired arbitrarily and only "based on yet unproven allegations of corruptions."
For his part, 1-Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr. said a probe is necessary to justify the removal of any Cabinet official.
"While President Rodrigo Duterte's dismissal of Ismael Sueno and the resignation of Peter Laviña is proof of zero tolerance of corruption, formal charges must be filed if evidence warrant or show probable cause. Due process will allow Sueno and Laviña to defend themselves and for prosecutors to make their case," he said.
Sueno was fired as head of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during a Cabinet meeting Monday amid accusations of corruption from a group called Mayor Rodrigo Duterte-National Executive Coordinating Committee, a national volunteer organization that helped Duterte during the presidential campaign.
Duterte cited "loss of trust and confidence" as the reason for the summary dismissal.
Laviña, the former National Irrigation Administration administrator, was asked to resign after being alleged of performing irregularities during his stint.
While Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon lauded Duterte's "remarkable political will" when he fired Sueno, a key mover that ran his campaign, he said the administration must assure that allegations against appointees are true and not just "black propaganda."
"It would be advisable though, that the dismissal is accompanied by an explanation of the reason and basis of the loss of confidence, to assure the public and most especially other appointees that the removal was not brought about by infighting, demolition jobs or jockeying for positions by persons or groups who may have intentionally sown distrust due to veiled agendas," Biazon said.
Sueno had already denied the corruption allegations and said that his three undersecretaries were making up charges to kick him out of DILG.
For his part, Deputy Minority Leader Harry Roque said Duterte must be "commended" for firing Sueno as it demonstrates the President's "zero tolerance" for erring officials.
"I commend the President for his zero tolerance to corruption as evidenced by dismissal of Secretary Sueno. We hope that this latest dismissal will send the message to all that this administration is serious about its anti-corruption agenda," Roque said in a statement. (VoxPop Philippines)