BAGUIO, Philippines – Malacañang has ordered the suspension of Abra Vice Governor Maria Jocelyn Valera-Bernos for ordering a hospital locked down at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when she served as the province governor.
The suspension order, dated August 12, cited Valera-Bernos for oppression and abuse of authority under the Local Government Code, and conduct unbecoming of a public official under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The vice governor was suspended 18 months, effective immediately upon receipt of the order.
The case stemmed from a December 2020 administrative complaint filed by Dr. Voltaire Seares, medical director of the Dr. Petronillo Seares Sr. Memorial Hospital, after the facility was placed under lockdown by the capitol.
Valera-Bernos’s order came after a nursing attendant tested positive for COVID-19, leading to the hospital’s barricading and the declaration of an extreme enhanced community quarantine in Barangay Poblacion, La Paz.
The document obtained by Rappler on Thursday, August 22, was signed by Deputy Executive Secretary for legal affairs Anna Liza Logan, by the authority of the Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Rights and guidelines
In his complaint, the physician alleged that police stationed at the barricades prevented anyone inside the hospital from leaving, including those with negative RT-PCR test results.
“As a result of Governor Valera-Bernos’ acts, the freedom of movement and rights to travel of the various persons trapped inside the hospital were violated, resulting in undue injury and prejudice,” Dr. Seares said.
He argued that the lockdown restricted the rights of hospital owners, physicians, and other medical practitioners to exercise their profession and prevented Abra residents from accessing healthcare.
Seares further contended that Valera-Bernos unilaterally imposed the lockdown, contrary to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) guidelines, which mandated that hospitals remained open under any degree of community quarantine.
In response, Valera-Bernos denied ordering the hospital’s closure, stating that her lockdown advisory was intended for disinfection and sanitation, and to prevent the spread of the virus.
She also argued that during a pandemic, the right to property and liberty must yield to the general welfare.
‘Intentions immaterial’
In its decision, the Office of the President concluded that Valera-Bernos ordered the hospital lockdown and designated the quarantine level of Poblacion, La Paz, without the concurrence of the Cordillera Administrative Region Interagency Task Force (CAR-IATF). The office noted her failure to rescind the order from June 5, 2020, to July 3, 2020, despite guidance from the DILG and CAR-IATF.
“Indubitably, the act of Governor Valera-Bernos was a clear contravention of Executive Order No. 112, Series of 2020, and existing IATF guidelines,” the decision stated, adding that these violations of national policies rendered her intentions “immaterial.”
The decision emphasized, “While this office notes Governor Valera-Bernos’ defense that she acted in the interest of public safety and the general welfare of Abreños … her actions spoke otherwise.”
‘Politically motivated’
In an August 22 statement, Valera-Bernos claimed her suspension was a “gandat nga mangmulit iti kinataok ken kabaelak nga agserbi iti probinsya (an effort to destroy my reputation and ability to serve the province).”
She said the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed a similar complaint in May 2022, ruling that her actions were done in good faith and within her responsibilities at the time.
The vice governor maintained that her actions were for public welfare, not targeting any specific hospital. She said, “[It was] necessary and immediate action to mitigate the probable spread of the virus when at that time no known control and vaccine were available.”
“We should not allow those behind this politically motivated character and reputation attack against me to succeed,” she added. – Rappler.com