Danny Aquino
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have terminated “without cause” the employment of Danny I. Aquino, the special assistant to the governor for military affairs and the head of the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs or CBMA.
The joint letter of Palacios and Apatang was hand-delivered to Aquino two weeks after he filed his candidacy for Precinct 2 House member with the Commonwealth Election Commission on Aug. 7, 2024.
Aquino, who supported Palacios and Apatang and their slate of independent candidates in 2022, is running this year against the administration’s Precinct 2 candidates, Rep. John Paul P. Sablan and Substance Abuse Addiction and Rehabilitation Program Special Assistant Diego M. Sablan.
Asked for comment, Aquino said the termination of his employment is an act of retaliation.
He said “there’s more to this” than his candidacy. He did not elaborate but added that he will issue a statement next week.
He said he feels “there’s a bias” when Diego Sablan can be granted leave but he, Aquino, cannot.
Aquino cited a public employment statute allowing a government employee seeking an elected office to take a leave of absence immediately upon certification of his or her candidacy. He said the governor asked him to submit his resignation after Aquino filed his candidacy two weeks ago.
On Friday last week, he said he filed for a leave of absence, but the governor did not approve it. On Monday, the governor’s staffer handed him the termination letter.
In their joint letter, Palacios and Apatang said, “The Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor have elected not to continue your employment and therefore is providing you with this notice of termination without cause. This is in conformity with Section XI (A)(l) of the Conditions of Employment of your employment contract. Accordingly, your last day of employment will be effective Aug. 20, 2024.”
They asked Aquino to return to the CBMA the keys, key cards, phones, computer equipment (laptops, tablets, etc.) work documents, and any other government property in his possession or control.
“Matters related to closing out” his time as special assistant for military affairs will be addressed by Special Assistant for Administration Oscar M. Babauta, Palacios and Apatang said.
On Tuesday, the governor issued a memorandum informing department and agency heads that effective immediately, all administrative functions of the CBMA “shall be handled out of the Office of the Governor” until further notice.
During this period, the governor asked the department heads to “please direct all notices, communications and inquiries related to CBMA to Velma Benavente or Julie Inos.”
