Part of the letter of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Maria Belen Acosta, dated May 22, 2024.
DAVAO CITY – Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Maria Belen Acosta on Thursday that Secretary Leo Tereso Magno's assumption as the new MinDA chairperson took effect on May 21.
Through a letter, Bersamin told Acosta that her "term of office was terminated for cause due to the loss of trust and confidence in you on the part of the appointing power."
Before Bersamin's letter, Acosta insisted holding on to her post.
"The post of Secretary and Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is not officially vacant. Hence, a replacement is not warranted," she said in her official statement on May 20.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Magno as the new MinDA chair on May 13, 2024, and took his oath of office before Bersamin on May 21.
Acosta argued there was never a vacancy in the MinDA chairmanship since she was not removed, nor is she facing any administrative or criminal charges.
However, Bersamin described Acosta's argument as "utterly untenable for being contrary to existing laws and relevant jurisprudence."
"Given the nature of the position of Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority as primarily confidential and policy determining, the President as the appointing power validly and effectively removed you for cause due to loss of his trust and confidence in you," he told Acosta.
Republic Act No. 9996, or the Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010 states that the Chairperson "shall serve a term of six years from the date of his/her appointment, unless removed for cause".
On Thursday afternoon, Magno visited the MinDA office here to submit his credentials.
“We submitted everything and go through the right process. It is the right of Sec. Acosta to seek legal remedies, as she stated, it's nothing personal. It is also her right to question my appointment,” Magno said in an interview on Thursday.
He said it was also his responsibility to follow the order of the President and his oath of office.
“We have a lot to focus on – projects and if this will be pushed through. I believe that the President will add more major projects in Mindanao. Right now, our President is in Mindanao and provided assistance to the local government units,” he said. (PNA)
