Ousted Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Mabel Acosta. File photo

DAVAO CITY — Mabel Acosta, the ousted chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), reported to work on Monday even after her termination order from Malacañang over "loss of trust and confidence."

Acosta joined the weekly flag ceremony at the Pryce Building in Davao City, while the newly appointed MinDA chair Leo Tereso Magno arrived after the ceremony.

The former chair, who was appointed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022, has refused to step down as she believes that she did nothing wrong to be terminated.

Davao City councilor Mabel Acosta named as new Mindanao Dev't Agency chair

 She said she was not informed ahead of time that she would be replaced.

"Honestly, I had the biggest shock of my life. It felt literally like my heart stopped beating for a few moments. May ganoon pala talaga. I have had sleepless nights and an upset stomach due to the overwhelming stress. I cannot bear the embarrassment and humiliation," Acosta told the media.

Section 7 of Republic Act 9996, or the Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010, states that the chairperson shall serve a term of six years from the date of appointment unless removed for cause.

"I do not have any pending civil, administrative, or criminal case before the proper courts. I am also not convicted of any crime," she said. 

Acosta also stressed that she has not received a single memo from Malacañang regarding any misconduct. 

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in a May 22 letter to Acosta said that "[g]iven 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.".

MinDA was created to “promote, coordinate and facilitate” participation in the socioeconomic development of Mindanao and has the power to review and recommend inter-regional programs and projects to the National Economic and Development Authority.

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Acosta's camp has filed a quo warranto petition to question her termination and Magno's appointment.

Before her stint at MinDA, Acosta served as a Davao City councilor for 18 years. She was also a broadcast journalist for ABS-CBN Davao and a teacher before becoming a local legislator.

MAGNO 

Meanwhile, Magno respects the decision of Acosta to seek legal remedies. 

Malacañang has yet to explain why they chose Magno to replace Acosta.

"Mas gusto siguro ng presidente na mas palawakin pa ang pagtulong niya at ang pagbigay ng atensyon sa Mindanao. Minsan sa trabaho ng MinDA ay ang pagbigay ng suhestiyon at pag-gather ng information galing sa iba't ibang parte ng Mindanao. Ano pa ang magagandang programa para mas maayos natin ang buong Mindanao," he said.

(It may be that the president wants to expand the assistance and attention to Mindanao.  Part of MinDA's job is to give suggestions and to gather information from across Mindanao. To see that programs will help develop all of Mindanao.)

Magno is also the secretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao.

"Hindi pa natatapos ang detalye sa usapin na yan. May opisina pa rin ang presidential assistant for Eastern Mindanao. Ang pagkakaalam ko sa gobyerno, hindi pwedeng isang tao, dalawang posisyon ang hahawakan, violative yata yan ng Civil Service rules. Baka mawala na po yung presidential assistant for Eastern Mindanao but the office is still there," he said.

(We haven't finished the details of our fialogue. The presidential assistant for Eastern Mindanao still has an office. As far as I know, one person cannot have two positions. I might no longer be presidential assistant for Eastern Mindanao, but the office still exists.)

As the power struggle in MinDA enters its second week, Magno was invited by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to join him in his visit to Brunei, which is a member of the BIMP-Eaga where the MinDA chair is a signing minister of the country. 

Marcos and his entourage will be in Brunei from May 28 to 29 for a state visit.