By Paulo Loreto Lim

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo offered his appreciation for ousted DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno for his advocacy of the retention of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
“I have been thankful to [Sueno] for his support for NIR,” he stated.
Following his dismissal, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said NIR “lost a champion” for the cause.
Hinlo, alongside DILG undersecretaries John Castriciones and Emily Padilla, were accused by Sueno for being behind a confidential letter to President Rodrigo Duterte that pointed to alleged improprieties.
Hinlo acknowledged potential corruption issues with a questionable purchase of fire trucks from Austria, to which it was recommended to the then-DILG chief to defer purchase responsibilities to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
“There is a question on the legality of the contract,” he explained.
Sueno has since denied all allegations.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr. earlier released a statement endorsing Hinlo as DILG officer-in-charge./WDJ