THE case of Manuel “Boy” Mejorada, former provincial administrator of Iloilo, had set-aside the many things he could have done. But as it turned out, it is not good enough for the Courts. I know DOJ Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez subscribes to this!

If one recalls, Mejorada filed a case against Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico with the DILG for deleting the salary appropriation of the Provincial Administrator which he repeatedly asserted a mandatory position.

The stake involved in the high profile case virtually guaranteed one’s amor nummi – love of money. But the tawdry spectacle is his changing of strategy from delay to destroy. The former provincial administrator may have thought that his case will prosper.

Cheap shot. This Mejorada case transfigured the Iloilo City Council few years ago. If my memory serves me right, there was a resolution signed by the majority of the council members that was misconstrued oppressive by a third party who raised the case in court.

Unfortunately, he cited only four city councilors as respondents. The case was dismissed on the ground of selective prosecution. The same with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which done away with the salary of the provincial administrator for being vacant. Then why accused only Vice Gov. Suplico?

The Supreme Court has already ruled that Mejorada has no residency in the Municipality of Pavia, Iloilo. The decision reeks with Domino theory because being a non-resident of the province, he is not qualified to the position of the provincial administrator.

Beside which, the Civil Service Commission has also ruled beforehand, that a provincial administrator must have a new appointment from the governor under new mandate and the same must be concurred by the SP members.

But false-pride destroyed him. The press gives the readers information and more tolls for weighing the information we give them. As the issue here is Mejorada’s salary, the public want to know how Capitol officials spend their money!

It took more than this writer to transform this case into what it became now. It all started from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to the Court of Appeals and even beyond – to the Supreme Court he cannot command!

May I remind him that the only permanent state of affair in this universe is change. So is his status. Besides, Mejorada’s aggressive tactics and public performance as Provincial Administrator guaranteed a high level of hostility against lowly Capitol employees.

The large propensity to lord over the Capitol is seen in the way he treats the department heads who are his co-equal in rank. He failed to understand that par in parem non habei imperium – an equal has no dominion over an equal!

True, honores mutant mores – honors change manners. But why insists to the Sanggunian a salary appropriation when his position has already been declared vacant by the CSC? This is the language of law so what’s more to argue?

His noise is understandable because even the High Tribunal had said; “Court is guided by the jurisprudence borne from experience that perfect testimonies cannot be expected from imperfect senses.” (Pp vs. Sahagun, 274 SCRA 208).

Mejorada can only blame himself for being an ingrained atribido. He was already in the pot but jumped into the fire. He should know that there is no Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya in this Capitol spat but nephew and uncle in political squabble.

The governor can be held liable culpa in eligiendo– negligence in selection of employees. (Pp. vs. Cantuba (379 SCRA 41). But that is somebody’s role and Mejorada’s position is nullius juris – of no legal force or effect, without support in law.

It is widely believed that his time has come for him to step down. But if he feels glued to his seat screwed tightly to the floor, the Sanggunian members should throw that chair out of the window with him. Here the tragedy is not to go – but having no one to remember you!

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