DAVAO CITY — The administrative officer of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) filed a complaint at the San Pedro Police Station on Thursday, May 23, after Maria Belen Acosta reportedly threatened her, warning her not to submit documents to newly appointed Chairperson Leo Magno.
Magno visited the MinDA office Thursday afternoon. In the police blotter, Cecilia Desesto-Triño reported that at around 11:51 AM on Thursday, May 23, Acosta called her, along with directors Cha and Regie Giducos, to her office for a meeting.
At the meeting, Triño told the police, “Secretary Mabel Acosta directly told us not to give out any documents or information related to HR, Admin, and Finance without her knowledge or approval. She threatened to file a case with the Civil Service if we went against her order, reiterating that she is still the chairperson of MinDA because her case has already been elevated to court.”
“She specifically pointed to me when she reprimanded us on the matter. So, I asked, ‘Are you referring to me, Ma’am? Am I the one giving out info?’ She responded, ‘Did I say it was you?'” the police blotter stated.
Triño said she felt she was being alluded to.
At this juncture, Acosta started to narrate, according to Triño, “that she is a gun shooter and can also maul people when provoked. She also said, ‘Those who oppose me get their karma; one person who had diabetes lost a leg due to diabetes.'”
These utterances prompted Triño to file a police blotter “for fear of my life, safety, and security.”
On May 21, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin notified Acosta that her term of office was terminated “due to loss of trust and confidence” from the appointing authority. However, Acosta refused to vacate the post, citing her six-year term of office.
During her livestreamed staff meeting on May 22, Acosta specifically gave an order to all officers of HR, Admin, and Finance of MinDA, saying, “To get your directives from my office para iisa lang ang ating focus at direction.”
Magno was appointed on May 13, 2024.
Acosta also told her staff not to worry about a social media user who bashed her for clinging to the post, calling her “Kapit Tuko” and having no delicadeza. “Hindi nyo na yon mababasa dahil denelete ko na, kasi walang katotohanan at panggulo lang doon aking social media page,” she said, advising her staff to control and protect their social media accounts.
The MinDA office performed well, she said, a reason why employees must focus on the development of Mindanao. All she desired, according to Acosta, is for Mindanao to be developed and for all gains to be manifested on the ground.
MinDA Office: A Divided House
Reports indicate that two MinDA officials are now at loggerheads, with one officer filing a cyber-libel case against the other.
If these reports are accurate, favoritism among officers and staff besets the MinDA office, with allegations that a certain official hired family members and friends of their children to occupy government posts.
Records show that MinDA is renting two spacious office spaces at Dusit Thani Hotel in Manila to house Acosta’s staff and another for her own office, paying a hefty sum despite earlier suggestions that they hold an office at the PICC, which is free.
Additionally, officers at MinDA have allegedly tampered with the red government license plates of their vehicles, replacing them with so-called “Security Plates” and using government property for personal activities.
