Davide
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday advised Capitol Chief Security Officer Loy Madrigal and his secretary to resign after photos of the two sitting cozily together in an airport spread online amid allegations that the two were having an affair.
The candid photos were first uploaded on Sept. 9 in the Facebook account of Medellin Mayor Ricky Ramirez, a member of the One Cebu Party and a staunch critic of Madrigal and the Davide administration.
The secretary, Iris Plaquita Camello, is a casual employee in the Capitol.
“I’m asking for the resignation of Mr. Loy Madrigal and Ms. Plasquita because for me the issue here is of morality,”Governor Davide told reporters.
“Looking at the photos, it was clear that there is a relationship.”
“It will be a big loss because of what he has done for us but nobody is indispensable in public service,” the governor added.
Madrigal is a high profile member of Davide’s administration, who has led apprehensions of shark meat, marine corals, explosives and commercial fishing operators as the head of the provincial task force on illegal fishing.
Madrigal was a supporter in the 2013 campaign of Davide and joined him in the Capitol as a co-terminous staff member.
Governor Davide yesterday said under Civil Service Commission laws, a superior in a government office is prohibited from engaging in a romantic relationship with his or her subordinate.
He said this matter will be investigated by the Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation (CODI).
Davide said he was informed that Madrigal’s marriage in the United States ended in divorce. The secretary is married but separated from her spouse.
In a phone interview yesterday, Madrigal indicated he was willing to step down.
“If that’s what he (the governor ) wants, I will abide by his order,” he said.
However, Madrigal said the photos were “edited” and that the allegations were “fabricated.” He did not elaborate.
Two photos showed Madrigal and his secretary seated close together on a bench in what was described as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In one photo, his arm rests behind the woman as he speaks into a mobile phone The secretary is leaning her head on his shoulder, both in a relaxed intimate pose. Both wore yellow sports shirts.
Mayor Ramirez , who often attacks Madrigal in his Facebook posts, didn’t say when the photos were taken and by who although the shots were clearly taken without the knowledge of the couple.
In his Facebook account, the mayor asked, with sarcasm, whether the two were traveling on official business and whether it was true Madrigal’s female companion was his “SEXYTAROY “ in the Capitol.
The governor yesterday said the secretary was separated from her husband but their marriage had yet to be annulled.
“I understand that on the side of Ms. Plasquita, she’s married. In the eyes of the law the union has yet to be annulled,” he said.
Governor Davide said he was aware of rumors that Madrigal was having a relationship with his secretary.