DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Acting Davao del Norte Governor De Carlo Uy has instructed suspended Governor Edwin I. Jubahib to vacate the Tahan ng Gobernador ahead of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, scheduled for June 6 to 8.
In a letter dated May 29, Uy gave Jubahib two days to vacate the building and its premises to accommodate national government officials during the event.
“I humbly request your good self to please vacate the Tahanan ng Gobernador on Friday May 31, 2024. The Tahanan and its premises will be used as a holding room and convergence point on venue of the visiting national leaders who will be physically present for the three-day event and to give way for the preparation of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair. The whole of the provincial government center and its facilities will be utilized to ensure the successful implementation of a national’s people’s service caravan.” Uy stated.
Jubahib responded on the same day, confirming his support for the event. “I will be staying in the Tahanan ng Gobernador, which by law is designated as the official residence of the elected governor, but I will personally accommodate all visiting national leaders participating in the service caravan,” he said.
The Serbisyo Caravan coincides with the eve of Jubahib’s return to the provincial capitol on June 10, marking the end of his 60-day preventive suspension.
Jubahib was suspended after recalling a vehicle from a board member allied with Uy and returning it after thirty days. The Office of the President subsequently suspended Jubahib.
The political tension between Jubahib and Uy is seen as an extension of the rivalry between the influential families of Davao del Norte. The del Rosario family, which includes former Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and his sons Anthony and Rodney, has historically been a political force in the region. Rodney del Rosario ran against Jubahib in the 2019 elections but lost. The del Rosarios are closely related to the Floirendo family, including former Congressman Tony Boy Floirendo and current Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo.
The del Rosario and Lagdameo families are reportedly preparing to field candidates for the 2025 mid-term elections. Currently, no members of the del Rosario or Lagdameo families hold public office in Davao del Norte, but they are allied with the Uys and Second District Representative Allan Dujali.
Political observers suggest that the Uy-Jubahib conflict is a proxy battle between Jubahib and the del Rosario and Lagdameo families.
