‘Kap Dabing’ extends leave to three months

ALLEGED “narco” village chief Keith “Dabing” Espinosa of Monica-Blumentritt, City Proper, Iloilo City extended her leave of absence to three more months.

Atty. Ferdinand Panes, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo City head, said Dabing Espinosa applied for the extension effective August 21, 2018, which his uncle, Mayor Jose Espinosa III, approved.

She took a leave of absence beginning July 21.

Panes received a copy of the approved extension afternoon of August 28.

“It was approved by the mayor dated August 24. It is good for three months,” Panes said.

In her letter, Dabing Espinosa cited personal matters for her continued leave from office. She designated No. 1 kagawad and her uncle Antonio Espinosa as her temporarily replacement.

While on leave, Dabing Espinosa will not receive her honorarium and might not be covered by other bonuses and incentives.

Panes said it is beyond the power of the DILG to investigate the reasons for her leave of absence. He said the request is legal because of the mayor’s approval.

It is also up to the approving authority to grant or deny the request, based on the exigency of service, he added.

The request may be denied if the position is important and the absence of the person in-charge will affect the services of an office.

Under the rules of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), government officials and employees can avail of a maximum of one-year leave, exclusive of vacation and sick leaves.

Those who exceeded the one-year period, without a valid reason, will be charged for abandonment.

“Under the law, if you are absent for 15 consecutive days without an approved leave, that is a ground for an administrative case against you,” Panes said.

Panes refrained from second-guessing if Dabing Espinosa’s reason for her leave of absence is her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The embattled village chief is the wife of suspected high-value drug personality, Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa Jr., the nephew of Mayor Espinosa.

Jing-Jing Espinosa is incarcerated at the Iloilo District Jail in Pototan town.

On July 12, 2018, Dabing Espinosa sought an audience with Chief Supt. John Bulalaco, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 regional director, claiming that she feared for her family’s safety after she was tagged in the illegal drugs trade. But she failed to meet the police director.

Her fears deepened after the arrest of former barangay captain Noemi Jablo of Desamparados, Jaro, Iloilo City and the killing of Brgy. Captain Remia Prevendido Gregori of Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

The three lady village chiefs were previously probed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for their alleged links to drugs.

“Let’s give it to her when she returns to give her reason,” Panes said.

Meanwhile, Panes said that Kagawad Gemma Calzado of Kasing-Kasing, Molo verbally informed him of her plan to go on leave, too.

Calzado landed on the “narco-list” released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on April 30, 2018.

But Panes said he has yet to receive the official letter request from Calzado.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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