Acosta opposes Marcos’s appointment of a new MinDa chair

DAVAO CITY — Maria Belen Acosta, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), opposed President Ferdinand Marcos’s appointment of Leo Magno as the new MinDA Chairperson, citing that the position is currently not vacant.

On May 13, Marcos signed Magno’s appointment, but Acosta argued that the position is officially not vacant, thus deeming a replacement unwarranted

Acosta issued her official statement after Newsline published a report that Marcos had appointed Magno as her replacement.

The following is the official statement of Acosta, as posted on her social media account on the evening of May 20th.

This statement highlights Acosta’s stance on the matter and emphasizes her commitment to her role and the development initiatives for Mindanao.

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The position of MinDA Chairperson is indeed by presidential appointment. President Marcos’s recent appointment of Leo Magno has been met with resistance from Acosta, who asserts that a due cause is necessary for her removal.

A legal expert, requesting anonymity, suggested that this situation might lead to a quo warranto case. The expert explained that the President’s appointment of a new MinDA Chairperson typically results in the expiration of the incumbent’s term, even if the term is specified as six years, because the position is at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

Historically, the term of office for MinDA Chairperson has seen variations. The late Chairperson Abdul Khayr Alonto served for three years, and then Chairperson Emmanuel Piñol, who was appointed to complete Alonto’s term, resigned after two years, leading to Acosta’s appointment by President Duterte. There are legal interpretations suggesting that Acosta was to complete the unfinished term rather than serve a new six-year term.

Acosta’s questioning of her removal and the procedural correctness of Magno’s appointment adds complexity to the situation, potentially requiring legal resolution to determine the validity of her claim to the position.