The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) MIMAROPA successfully capacitated nearly hundred of local Sanggunian members from the 10 target LGUs in the Region in their Quasi-Judicial Functions on 28 October 2021, through Zoom platform.

The activity served as a refresher course to reorient and increase the awareness of the sanggunian members in the procedural and substantive exercise of their quasi-judicial powers granted by the Local Government Code (LGC). It provided them with deeper understanding in their obligation to act with integrity in observing the due process of law and in handling administrative cases that involve local elective officials. 

Among the participants were the Vice Mayors, elected and ex-officio members of the Sanggunian, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) of Boac and Sta. Cruz, Marinduque; Looc and Lubang, Occidental Mindoro; Bulalacao and Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro; Balabac and Kalayaan, Palawan; and Cajidiocan and San Andres, Romblon. Other participants from some LGUs also participated in the activity.           . 

In his message, DILG MIMAROPA Regional Director Wilhelm Suyko emphasized the relevance of the activity in their job as public officials.

“Public Office is a Public Trust. With the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling in 2022, it is critical for LGUs to continuously capacitate themselves with knowledge and skills that requires them to become effective public officials and advocates of good governance”, RD Suyko said.

In his presentation, Atty. Irvin Palanca, Legal Committee Member, discussed the Local Sanggunian as a Quasi-Judicial Body. Further, he emphasized that the Quasi-Judicial Powers of the Sanggunian, consisting of the powers to prescribe rules of procedures, issue a subpoena, and cite a person in contempt through the assistance of regular courts can only be exercised by the Sanggunian members in hearing an administrative cases filed against Elective Local Officials. Local legislators were reminded that in handling administrative cases, it must satisfy several requisites such as observance of due processes and presentation of substantial evidence. 

On the other hand, Atty. Raymond Alvin Mendoza, Regional Legal Officer, presented the Disciplinary Actions and the Administrative Hearing Proper for Elective Officials. He also reiterated that an elective local official may be disciplined or suspended from office based on several grounds such as disloyalty to the Republic, violation of the constitution, dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence, commission of offense involving moral turpitude, and abuse of authority, among others provided by the LGC and other laws. 

Atty. Mendoza also highlighted that in hearing administrative cases of elected local officials, the respondent is given the full opportunity to appear and defend herself/himself in person or by counsel, confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him, and require the attendance of witnesses. 

In his closing message, Assistant Regional Director Rey S. Maranan reminded the participants that it is a great responsibility and privilege to be given quasi-judicial powers. 

“We also hoped that after the activity, you would be able to exercise your power to discipline in an impartial, but swift manner. And in the exercise of such power, impartiality and due process may become your guide in demanding accountability and in ensuring that justice is within the bounds of the law”, ARD Maranan added.

By: Ivy Diane Piramide and Chelsea Coleen Tamayo