DAVAO CITY — Maria Belen Acosta, the beleaguered Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), has announced she will not vacate her post despite the Palace appointing Leo Magno as the new chair to replace her.
In a 48-minute staff meeting broadcast on social media, Acosta emphasized her belief that her term, which is supposed to end in 2028, cannot be legally shortened without due cause. She assured her team that she would seek legal remedies to uphold her tenure and directed them to follow her directives exclusively.
Acosta was appointed in 2022 by then-president Rodrigo Duterte, replacing Emmanuel Piñol, who failed to complete the six-year term left by the late Chairperson Abdul Kayer Alonto. Duterte initially appointed Alonto on September 9, 2016, to serve a six-year term as MinDa chairperson. However, Alonto served for only three years, prompting Duterte to appoint an OIC, Atty. Niel Dalumpines. Subsequently, Duterte appointed Emmanuel Piñol on October 5, 2019, but Piñol resigned on October 5, 2021, after serving only two years. Ultimately, Duterte appointed Acosta on January 6, 2022.
Acosta’s defiance is rooted in her interpretation of RA 9996, which she argues provides her with security of tenure. She urged her staff and supporters to uphold the rule of law and challenged the legality of her removal without proper legislative amendment of the Republic Act.
“RA 9996 is on my side,” she repeatedly emphasized during the meeting.
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This developed as reports reaching Newsline revealed that Malacañang will issue an official statement about the issues raised by Acosta.
“Stay in the course, huwag magpadala. I am seeking legal remedy so everything will be settled,” Acosta assured her staff.
Acosta instructed the officers and employees of the agency to “get directives from my office, not from somewhere else.”
“I still have my mandate, and the law is on my side. Hindi ako kapit tuko, hindi ako gahaman. As RA 9996, how can a Republic Act be circumvented? Is that possible?” she said, signifying her defiance of the Palace’s appointment of Magno.
She rallied for support, saying, “I call on all democracy-loving Filipinos. This is a Republic Act; it’s not just a simple law. If you want to change RA 9996, go to Congress and the Senate to amend it. A fixed term ensures security of tenure, and it should not be easily altered.”
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Acosta’s firm stance highlights the legal and administrative challenge she is prepared to face to maintain her position in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9996.
Legal experts suggest that this conflict might lead to a quo warranto case, wherein the legitimacy of Acosta’s continued occupancy of the position would be legally contested. They note that typically, the President’s power to appoint a new MinDA Chairperson could override the fixed term, as the position traditionally serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
