DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Just as he was set to resume his duties as Governor of Davao del Norte following a 60-day suspension, Edwin Jubahib has been handed another preventive suspension, this time for participating in a rally against the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco).
According to a source from Newsline, Governor Jubahib received the suspension order on Friday, June 7, around 4:20 PM, directly from Regional Director Abdullah V. Matalam at the Tahanan ng Gobernador in Tagum City. The order was later obtained by Newsline on Saturday afternoon.
On April 10, the Office of the President placed Jubahib under a 60-day preventive suspension over a vehicle.
The Governor is set to return to the Capitol on Monday, June 10, but days before his assumption he received another suspension.
The four-page suspension order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on June 4, reads:
“The urgent suspension is GRANTED pursuant to Section 53(a) and (b) of Republic Act 7160 and Section 1.8 of the Administrative Code No. 23, Series of 1992, as amended. Governor Edwin I. Jubahib is placed under PREVENTIVE SUSPENSION for 30 DAYS effective immediately upon receipt.”
This latest suspension stems from Jubahib’s active participation in a motorcade rally supporting a House Bill to expand the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company, aiming to replace Nordeco. The case was filed under OP-IAD-23-E-004 by Diahne Czari L. Semic and others, OP-IAD-23-F-002 by Roy C. Baco and others, and OP-IAD-23-G-009 by Dir. Ernido Malone and others outline that Jubahib admitted in his defense that he supported the rally. He also acknowledged allowing government vehicles and requesting provincial capitol employees to join the motorcade, which he argued was within his public duties.
The complainants are reportedly represented Nordeco and SEMIC, a group of cooperative officers.
Jubahib has been a vocal critic of Nordeco, citing its inadequate service and frequent power interruptions as significant obstacles to business opportunities in Davao del Norte. In particular, residents of the Island Garden City of Samal have suffered from the cooperative’s poor performance, prompting calls for introducing a more reliable power distributor.
Newsline attempted to reach Governor Jubahib for comments, but as of this posting, he has not responded to our calls and messages.
This suspension marks the second consecutive preventive suspension for Jubahib, who has faced escalating scrutiny and controversy. His latest suspension for advocating for improved electricity services underscores the broader regional dissatisfaction with Nordeco and highlights the contentious political environment in Davao del Norte.
Governor Jubahib’s staunch support for replacing Nordeco is rooted in his commitment to fostering economic growth and ensuring a reliable power supply for his constituents. However, his direct involvement in the rally and the use of government resources have raised questions about the appropriateness of his actions and have led to significant administrative repercussions.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the political dynamics in Davao del Norte will be affected and what impact this will have on Governor Jubahib’s leadership and future in public service.
