After two suspensions for grave abuse of authority and unauthorized use of government facilities Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib has not learned his lesson.
In his series of campaign propaganda Jubahib, who is running under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas which is chaired by President BongBong Marcos, acted like a raging bull in a China shop.
Last week he went on a verbal rampage alleging that the business enterprises of his political adversary Rep. Alan Dujali, are funded by government. Well, he is up to something he will regret later.
But before we go any further let us visit the background of Dujali and Jubahib.
The Dujali clan is pioneer in Davao del Norte. The patriarch Gregorio R. Dujali served as 2nd governor of the undivided province from 1977 to 1986 with an unblemished record of service. Braulio E. Dujali for whom a town was named after him was Barangay Captain. Ben R. Dujali was Vice Mayor and Alan “Aldu” Dujali is incumbent Congressman and running for Governor of the province.
Jubahib, was a bus conductor when then Congressman Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez picked him as his Chief of Staff. A glib talker in his native tongue plus the congressman’s influence and financial backing he ran for governor and won. Running for the second term he won again under Partido Reporma where Alvarez is President.
Overly confident of political power and prestige Jubahib after an altercation with provincial board member Orly Amit withdrew the vehicle assigned to the latter. Amit, Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, earlier questioned the governor’s proposed ₱105-million Confidential Fund. This did not please the governor.
Board Member Amit charged Jubahib for Grave Abuse of Authority and Oppression before the Office of the President resulting in his Suspension for 60 days.
Jubahib was about to report to office after serving his 60-day preventive suspension when he received another 30 day-suspension for participating in a rally against North Davao Electric Cooperative [NORDECO] and favoring the entry of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). NORDECO’s board members it turned out had earlier filed administrative charges against Governor Jubahib for “grave abuse of authority and misuse of government position and resources, favoring a purely private entity in violation of the Constitutional prohibition on the use of government resources for private purposes.”
What really shocked the public including his benefactor, Congressman Alvarez, was close to the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy in October for the midterm elections, Jubahib slipped to Manila and swore-in as member of Marcos Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. He proceeded to file his COC under PFP banner along with his daughter Clarice who filed her COC for Vice Governor. Not only did Jubahib abandoned Partido Reporma he also pitted his daughter against Bebot Alvarez whom he knew before hand was running for Vice Governor.
Jubahib effectively severed his ties not only from Alvarez and but also from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s PDP -Laban who had forged an alliance with Partido Reporma.
As I write this piece I saw another post on Facebook this time from NORDECO. Looks like the Management and Members of the Board of the electric cooperative had enough of what their statement described as “Gov. Jubahib’s deceptions’’.
NORDECO General Manager Elvera S. Alngog declared that “Enough is Enough! Governor Jubahib has once again resorted to blatant misinformation, twisting facts to deceive the public and attack NORDECO”.
General Manager Alngog lambasted Jubahib over what she said is his false claims that the ₱3-billion debt of the cooperative will be imposed on member-consumer-owners. She also hit Jubahib whom she alleged promised that if the franchise area of NORDECO will be turned over to Davao Light & Power Company, electricity connections will be “free”.
Alngog said that Jubahib’s declaration in his sortie at New Corella, Davao del Norte is false, malicious and deceptive. She said that NORDECO’s debt was never passed on to consumers; that there is no such thing as free household connections under existing laws and regulations, and that even under DLPC consumers will still shoulder service drop, meter installations and house wiring costs as mandated by government regulatory agencies.
Looks like Jubahib is fast gaining enemies instead of voter’s support. Former Speaker Bebot Alvarez is campaigning against him in every turn and criticizing his erstwhile protege as one who has no sense of gratitude and has done nothing for the province of Davao del Norte.
A number Davao Duterte Supporters also issued a warning and advisory that Gov. Edwin Jubahib, who had joined Marcos Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, is no longer associated with former President Duterte or with PDP-Laban. The clarification was made after it was discovered that there were diehard Duterte followers in Davao del Norte who thought that Jubahib is still with the former President.
