Joseph Cua Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honorable
Joseph Cua
Office:Governor of Catanduanes
Term Start:June 30, 2016
1Blankname:Vice Governor
1Namedata:Peter Cua (2022–present)
Shirley Abundo (2016–2022)
Predecessor:Araceli Wong
Term Start2:June 30, 2007
Term End2:June 30, 2013
Predecessor2:Leandro Verceles Jr.
Successor2:Araceli Wong
Birth Date:16 October 1962
Birth Place:Calolbon, Catanduanes, Philippines
Party:NPC (2021-present)
Otherparty:UNA (2016-2021)
Liberal (2010-2016)
Lakas-CMD (until 2010)

Joseph Chua Cua (born October 16, 1962) is a Filipino politician from the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. He currently serves as a Governor of Catanduanes. He was first elected as Governor of the province in 2007 and he was re-elected in the 2010, 2016, and 2019 elections.[1]

In 2019, Cua was suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon. This was due to his "abuse of authority" and "grave misconduct in public service" during his term as governor. This was further implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).[2] After the suspension, DILG Bicol director Anthony Nyuda directed Vice Governor Shirley Abundo to assume office as acting governor.[3]

On April 30, 2020, he reassumes his post again as governor after his 365-day suspension period from May 1, 2019, until April 29, 2020. According to Nyuda, this was in accordance to article 13 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.[4]

Suspension as Governor

Four months before the 2019 Philippine general election, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has suspended re-electionist Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua for abuse of authority. Cua's suspension for six months stemmed from an administrative complaint filed by a certain Rey Mendez for allegedly allowing a construction firm owned by Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez of Bato town to use a lot owned by the provincial government free of charge even without authorization from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

In January 2020, Cua proclaimed himself as governor and said that he served his suspension completely. Unfortunately his self-reinstatement was blocked by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. According to the department, they did not recognize his assumption in office and ordered him to vacate the post-pending resolution from the Office of the Ombudsman.[5]

He reassumes his post again as governor on April 30, 2020, after his 365-day suspension. This was stated by Atty. Anthony Nyuda, the regional director of DILG, citing article 13 of the Civil Code of the Philippines.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Killed' many times in politics: Catanduanes Gov. Cua reelected . 16 May 2019 . Bicol Politics . 2019-07-31.
  2. Web site: Layson . Mer . Catanduanes gobernor, sinuspinde ng Ombudsman . 2023-09-05 . Philstar.com.
  3. Web site: Gonzalez . Mia . 2019-01-12 . DILG suspends Catanduanes governor . 2023-09-05 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  4. Web site: Serrano . Mar . April 29, 2020 . Suspended Catanduanes governor poised to reassume post . September 6, 2023 . Philippine News Agency.
  5. Web site: UPDATE: Año orders suspended Catanduanes governor Cua to step down after he re-assumes office without DILG go-signal . 2023-09-06 . Manila Bulletin . en.