Former Malacañang Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the people of Maguindanao del Norte are suffering from stalled basic public services brought about by having two governors.
Panelo in a press conference in Quezon City said "the law is very clear, you cannot have a vacancy in government (elected position)"; otherwise, problems will occur like what is happening now in Maguindanao del Norte where Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) endorsed a governor, Abdulraof Macacua, while the law already designated Acting Governor Fatima Ainee Sinsuat, the former Vice Governor.
Panelo said the Supreme Court also has ruled "that the designation of Sinsuat is valid" as local government employees are also caught in the middle of controversy of having two governors for their province.
Atty. Samuel Divina, spokesperson of Sinsuat earlier explained that the situation of the province is getting bleaker as the MILG continue to block the funds supposedly intended for the people of Maguindanao del Norte, as well as for plans and program of the local government supposedly should be governed by the designated Acting Governor who is Sinsuat since the Maguindanao was separated into two by the plebiscite last year.
Divina said Malacañang should not let itself be swayed by the proddings of the MILG and should recall the appointment of Abdulraof Macacua, who has not even voted by the people of Maguindanao.
"Recall the appointment of Macacua, for the basic services to the people to roll," Divina said, pleading with Malacañang to cancel or nullify the appointment of Macacua.
"Walang lumalabas na budget so the basic services are stalled," Divina said, adding that the BARRM's Bureau of Local Government and Finance, the MILG, and the Land Bank in the province are holding the budget hostage, because of the confusion it brought when they endorsed Macacua to Malacañang to be the governor.
Divina said MILG was even a respondent to the Petition for Mandamus filed by Maguindanao del Norte Acting Governor Sinsuat at the Supreme Court which ruled in her favor.
"And on April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court granted the issuance of Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction," recognizing the assumption of Sinsuat as Acting Governor of Maguindanao del Norte.
Divina also cited the SC decision on 26 June 2023 recognizing the validity of the assumption of office of Sinsuat.
"Having ruled that the assumptions of Sinsuat are valid, along with her acting vice governor Dati Shariffudin Matsura, the appointment issued on Macacua is not necessary and has no legal effect. Appointments can only be made when there is a vacancy for the position," Divina explained.
He urged Malacañang to recall the appointment of Macacua who was only endorsed by the MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.