Resigned Negros Oriental provincial administrator Richard Enojo, who was also the provincial legal officer, yesterday clarified unpleasant innuendos from critics of the provincial government regarding his resignation.

 

He said he did not expect that his resignation would create a lot of media uproar, and clarified that this is long overdue because he was supposed to stay at the Capitol for only one year.

Enojo has held his position for four years, until his resignation effective Monday.

He said he resigned to seek an elective position in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, and that he wants to go back to private practice because he cannot afford the financial needs of his daughter, who will be attending college in Manila.

Enojo belied insinuations he is tired of working with the provincial government as a lawyer for the governor, who is faced with a lot of cases because, before joining the Capitol his usual load is eight to 10 cases a day, so working and solving problems are not new to him.

In fact, even until now, he works from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., he added. “Modesty aside, I was earning much better as a fulltime practicing lawyer, compared to when I was in the Capitol because I lost 50 percent of my clients. I came to the Capitol to help Gov. Roel Degamo who is my relative, and the people,” Enojo said.

He added that in the last four years, his law practice has been adversely affected, and he cannot afford to go back to square one by the time the governor completes his three three-year term.

“It took me sometime to tender my resignation despite the fact that, instead of one year, I’ve reached four years because Gov. Degamo continuously pleaded for my retention. While at the Capitol, giving 90 percent of my time, my family practically lost their father so I told my children that it is time to leave,” Enojo said.

Degamo and close associates pleaded for Enojo to reconsider his decision, and he asked the governor for two days within which to make a final decision and talk to his family again because he has already told them that he has resigned.

If he decides to run as councilor of Zamboanguita in 2016, he will have to resign before the filing of certificates of candidacy starts on October 12.

Enojo added he decided to leave not because “the ship is sinking” as his detractors are saying, but because he believes Degamo is doing well and can now stand on his own.

Despite his resignation, Enojo is still in a hold-over capacity, signing documents and dishing out the functions of a provincial administrator and provincial legal officer, until a final decision is reached Monday.*JG/JFP