Davide elated after landing on presidential ‘honor list’
Despite setbacks in its anti-illegal drug campaign, the Cebu Provincial Government will be among those set to be recognized by President Rodrigo Duterte for curbing the illegal drug trade in their respective areas.
In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report yesterday, Davide was named as one of ten governors to be feted with honors by the Duterte administration for efforts against illegal drugs in their respective areas. The others are Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Faustino Dy III (Isabela), Junie Cua (Quirino), Jose Alvarez (Palawan), Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon), Alfredo Marañon (Negros Occidental), Edgardo Chatto (Bohol), Daisy Avance-Fuentes (South Cotabato) and Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba (Agusan del Norte).
Dy, Alvarez, Maranon, Chatto and Davide openly supported the presidential run of Mar Roxas, the defeated presidential standard-bearer of the Liberal Party. The list was submitted by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueño to Malacañang after a three-stage screening process.
Among the criteria the DILG used in the first round of screening are the provincial government’s record in good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection and environment management.
The governors were also judged according to their relationship with the business community and their record in ensuring peace and order in their provinces.
In the second stage, six of the governors were removed from the list, including some who are facing charges in the Office of the Ombudsman and some who belong to political dynasties.
It was not clear, however, why Marcos and Dy were on the list, as the DILG had ruled that officials belonging to political dynasties should be automatically disqualified.
In the third and last stage of the vetting, DILG field personnel were given the task of providing feedback about the performance of the local officials.
Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero ordered the screeners, “When in doubt, don’t give any recommendation at all.”
“Any hint or rumor regarding drugs or illegal gambling links were considered,” the DILG said.
Davide, for his part, said he wasn’t aware of the screening process as well as the shortlisting but said that the province will continue its efforts in stemming illegal drug trade in the province.
He said the province has long been implementing programs against illegal drugs, even before the present Duterte administration.
“I’m elated to know that we’ve been recognized by the national government, by the president himself. I have always emphasized that our fight against illegal drugs is unrelenting. We will continue despite setbacks,” Davide told reporters yesterday.
He specifically mentioned the ongoing issue on the presence of illegal drugs inside the province-run Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
“We will dig deeper on the CPDRC. We hope to eradicate drugs and attain a drug-free environment inside our jail facility,” he said.
Two weeks ago, a surprise raid was conducted by police and drug enforcement authorities in both the CPDRC and the Cebu City Jail which are located right across the other in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
While more cash, drugs and other prohibited items were seen in the city jail, there were also drug paraphernalia seized from CPDRC.
Reports reaching Capitol also said that some drug users source their supply inside the CPDRC.
In response, Davide created “Task Force CPDRC” to investigate the presence of illegal drugs inside the facility as well as allegations that special treatment was given to some inmates by allowing them the use of contraband items like cellphones and laptops inside the facility.
Former provincial consultant on jail matters Marco Toral and former jail warden Romeo Manansala have both tendered their resignations in the heels of the reported anomalies inside the jail.
Manansala, who is a regular Capitol employee, has been reassigned to the Civil Security Unit (CSU) under Roberto Legaspi.
Davide said that he will be the acting jail warden of the CPDRC, with Legaspi as his assistant while Manansala is under investigation by the task force.
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