DUMAGUETE CITY -– Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals to prevent the execution of the dismissal order the Ombudsman had issued against him.

 

Degamo made the announcement Friday morning over a local FM radio station.

He confirmed he received the TRO Thursday afternoon.

The governor said the TRO provides for a status quo-ante valid for 60 days effective immediately.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) last Friday afternoon served the writ of execution of the dismissal order, which Degamo had refused, saying it was illegal.

He insisted that he did not receive a copy of the Ombudsman order at the time.

The governor received the copy only on Monday, three days after the DILG had also installed Vice Governor-elect Edward Mark Macias as the new governor.

Dr. Macias held temporary office at the Sidlakang Negros and ordered the replacement of department heads, naming his choices.

Degamo, meanwhile, had remained at his office at the Capitol since a week ago today, with many supporters also keeping watch.

The Negros Oriental governor announced that everything will return to normal with his department heads resuming their posts following the TRO issuance.

Meanwhile, it was not immediately known at press time what would happen to Macias, as the DILG has yet to make its next move.

The case against Degamo stems from the complaint filed against him by a private individual involving the P480-million calamity fund which was allegedly misused.

The joint order of the Ombudsman ruled that Gov. Degamo, Provincial Treasurer Danilo Mendez and Provincial Accountant Teodorico Reyes were guilty of the administrative charge of grave misconduct and the criminal charge of 11 counts of malversation.

Mendez and Reyes had secured a TRO earlier pending an appeal.

Degamo disclosed a hearing is set July 12 on the main case. (PNA)