ARMM gov, 2 DepEd officials charged for indirect contempt

The Civil Service Commission has charged acting regional governor Ansaruddin A. Adiong of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and two local Education officials for indirect contempt after they allegedly refused to implement CSC decisions. The two DepEd officials were identified as Department of Education (DepEd)-ARMM Secretary Baratucal Caudang; and OIC Division Superintendent Pharida L. Sansarona. The charges stemmed from a petition for indirect contempt filed by Schools Division Superintendent Mona Macatanong before CSC after the governor and the two officials refused to implement CSC decisions 10-0069 dated September 23, 2010; 10-00469 dated December 7, 2010; and 11-00409 dated March 22, 2011. Following the formal charges, Macatanong has since been reinstated in her original position and assignment. Adiong had reassigned Macatanong to the DepEd ARMM Office of the Regional Secretary in Cotabato City. However, Macatanong appealed the reassignment, invoking her security of tenure, claiming her reassignment was indefinite and was issued without legal and factual basis. Adiong, however disputed Macatanong's petition by saying that the DepEd-ARMM was one of the departments in the region that needed reform because of rampant graft and corruption. Also, Adiong said the reassignment was issued because Macatanong’s services were needed. On March 30, 2010, CSC-ARMM issued an order that invalidated Macatanong’s reassignment. Meanwhile, Sansarona, who had taken over Macatanong’s position, filed a motion for reconsideration of the the CSC order. Sansarona’s motion was denied by the CSC-ARMM on due to "lack of personality and locus standi" or right of a party to appear and be heard before a court. Adiong, meanwhile, filed a motion for reconsideration which was eventually denied by the CSC. On April 26, 2011, the CSC directed Andiong and the two other DepEd officials to explain in writing why they should not be cited for indirect contempt. If found guilty, the three ARMM officials will have, among other sanctions, to pay a fine of P1,000 every day for every act of indirect contempt, as stated in the Revised Rules of Contempt (CSC Resolution No. 07-1245 dated June 22, 2007). — with Bea Cupin and Mariz Revales/LBG, GMA News