Donoso suspended for 90 days for ‘defiance’
CEBU CITY (April 12, 2024) – The interim board that the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) created to assume policy-making at the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) finally held its first meeting at its headquarters for the first time since last month.
The two-hour meeting led to two resolutions, one that placed MCWD general manager Edgar Donoso under preventive suspension for 90 days starting today.
In a 4-page resolution, four of the five members of the interim board decided to suspend Donoso for his continued defiance to the board’s request to turn over documents related to MCWD’s transactions.
He also defied a 5-day notice for him to explain why he defied the LWUA’s order to recognize the interim board in favor of suspended MCWD board chairman Jose Daluz III and fellow directors May Seno and Miguelito Pato.
“Whereas, General Manager Donoso consistently refuses to acknowledge and adhere to the authority of the MCWD Interim Board of Directors since their assumption of office, despite stern warnings that failure to do so shall result in disciplinary action,” the board said in its resolution.
“General Manager Donoso’s persistent defiance of the authority vested in the LWUA and the Interim Board of Directors reeks serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, gross insubordination, and conduct detrimental to the best interests of the service,” it added.
Lawyer John DX Lapid, who is MCWD’s division manager for customer care, will serve as acting GM while Donoso serves his suspension.
Cebu City News tried to get Donoso’s side but he refused to comment as he has yet to secure a copy of the resolution.
MCWD interim board chair Maria Rosan D. Perez, vice chair Engr. Noel A. Samonte, secretary Engr. Anabelle C. Gravador, and member Rey Asterio Tambis signed the resolution.
Firth member, lawyer Manolette Fel E. Dinsay, was not present in today’s meeting.
Barred, at first
But before the board could start its meeting, its members had a tense encounter with MCWD’s executive committee who, allegedly under Donoso’s order, refused to recognize them. Donoso was on official leave.
Lawyer Jorge Gabriente, MCWD acting general manager and assistant GM for technical services, said Donoso instructed him not allow the interim board to enter MCWD board room.
But Gabriente eventually allowed the Interim Board to enter the board room after one of the lawyers representing LWUA warned him that he could face charges if he continues to defy their mandate.
Aside from Gabriente, the Interim Board summoned two of the six members of MCWD’s executive committee.
‘Business as usual’
Separately, Lapid admitted he was both surprised and humbled that he was chosen by the interim board to manage MCWD for 90 days.
He also assured the public that MCWD’s services will continue even as the water district is currently under probe.
“Pasalig lang namo nga magpadayon ang atong serbisyo sa mga konsumedor sa MCWD. Don’t worry, it will not affect our services especially that we have El Nino right now, atong tagaan og kasolbaran ang problema sa pagkuwang sa tubig,” Lapid assured.
He also requested his fellow MCWD employees to cooperate with LWUA’s investigation.
“We will cooperate with LWUA’s order as long as it is lawful. Anyway, this is only for 90 days. I urge our employees to comply with LWUA’s order,” he added.
No entry for now
Lapid said the interim board also ordered to seek police assistance if needed to bar Donoso, Daluz, Seno and Pato from entering the MCWD premises.
The interim board is set to issue a separate resolution to prevent Donoso and the suspended board directors from entering the premises.
“The interim board will ask the help of the police to prohibit (the suspended) board directors and general manager from entering the building starting today,” Lapid said.
“I hope that GM Donoso and the board of Atty. Daluz would heed to this para peaceful ta. Kay samok nga there is confusion within MCWD. I am just a good soldier heeding to LWUA’s orders,” he added. / PPRMN / jkv
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