Open letter to Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards 2025 Committee

 

Good morning.

I would like to raise a serious concern regarding the integrity of the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards 2025. It has come to my attention that Mr. Ian Casocot, who was a member of the selection committee, has also been named as one of the awardees. 

In my observation, this situation presents a clear conflict of interest and raises serious ethical concerns. It is generally understood that one should not be both a judge and a recipient in the same process. Accepting such an award while serving as a selector compromises not only personal integrity but also casts doubt on the credibility and impartiality of the entire awards process.

The public expects fairness and transparency in recognizing those who truly deserve this prestigious honor. But when the lines between nominator, selector, and awardee are blurred, how can the community continue to place its trust in the legitimacy of this recognition?

I hope this concern is taken seriously and addressed with the urgency it deserves.

First Meeting Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards Committee,


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A fruitful Zoom meeting with the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards Committee, led by Atty. Mikhail Maxino, to assess received nominations so far and to clarify guidelines. With [by row], City Tourism Officer and Diamond Jubilee Co-Chair Katherine Aguilar, Diamond Jubilee Chair Dr. Dinno Depositario, Sr. Helen Malubay, SPC [St. Paul University Dumaguete] Ian Rosales Casocot , Dr. Noel Marjon E. Yasi [Negros Oriental State University], yours truly, Dr. Charlotte V. Carino [Foundation University], Dr. Juditha O. Mapue [DepEd], and Sylvester Lavis [Secretariat]. Not in photo: Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope [Silliman University].

Reply 3:24pm  Today \ June 28,2025

                   

Reply to the letter send by the Dumaguete City Tourism Office 

To the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards Selection Committee
City Hall, Dumaguete City

Dear Atty. Maxino and Members of the Committee,

Thank you for your official clarification regarding the role of Mr. Ian Casocot in the selection process of the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards.

While we respect and acknowledge the committee’s assurance of ethical governance and transparency, we respectfully express a continued concern regarding the eligibility of Mr. Casocot as a nominee.

Based on official accounts of the 75th Diamond Jubilee events, Mr. Casocot was acknowledged as one of the Executive Vice-Chairpersons of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate. As per the published guidelines of the ODA, nominees must not be part of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate. This clause appears to have been overlooked or bypassed.

The matter here is not about his voting power in the selection process, but about eligibility in the first place. The rule is clear, and it was presumably implemented to avoid any perception of bias, conflict of interest, or impropriety in the awards process—principles which the ODA has always proudly upheld.

We hope that this matter is revisited with impartiality and fairness, to protect the credibility of the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards and to ensure continued trust in this prestigious recognition.

With due respect,

The nominee must not be part of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate, or a current employee [or a relative of a current employee up to the third degree] of LGU Dumaguete. 

Answer : Among the officials present in the momentous event were Vice-Mayor Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, department heads led by City Administrator Lilani Ramon, Convenor of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate Dr. Dinno T. Depositario, Committee Chairpersons, Executive Vice-Chairpersons Katherine Therese Aguilar and Ian Casocot. https://dumaguetecity.gov.ph/2023/11/25/%F0%9D%90%83%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%8C%F0%9D%90%80%F0%9D%90%86%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%84%F0%9D%90%93%F0%9D%90%84-%F0%9D%90%82%F0%9D%90%88%F0%9D%90%93%F0%9D%90%98-%F0%9D%90%94%F0%9D%90%92%F0%9D%90%87/ 

Diamond Jubilee Directorate 
Source 

HEADZ UP NegOr News

Remember that he was a casual employee of the  City Government of Dumaguete in 2024 and on going selection for the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards 2024 

Analysis and Point of View Regarding Mr. Ian Casocot’s Involvement

The official statement signed by Atty. Mikhail Lee Maxino asserts that Mr. Ian Casocot served only as a secretariat member with no voting power, clarifying that he was not a part of the selection committee. It also emphasizes that the selection process followed ethical protocols, including recusals in cases of conflicts of interest, independent vetting, and secret voting.

However, based on the publicly documented roles during the 75th Diamond Jubilee celebration of Dumaguete City, Mr. Ian Casocot was listed as one of the Executive Vice-Chairpersons of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate. According to the published guidelines of the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards (ODA), individuals who are part of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate or currently employed by the LGU Dumaguete (or related up to the third degree to someone who is) are ineligible for nomination.

Given this context, the issue does not lie solely in whether Mr. Casocot had voting rights or influence in the committee's deliberation. The concern is whether his nomination violated the ODA’s clear disqualification rule: that members of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate must not be nominated.

Even with the claim of his non-voting status, his position as Executive Vice-Chairperson of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate directly conflicts with the award’s eligibility requirements.

Let review the Guidelines 

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Republic of the Philippines

Dumaguete City

City of Gentle People

Philippine Standard Time:

Saturday, June 28, 2025, 11:27:28 PM

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐍̃𝐎 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒!

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In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Dumaguete City, LGU Dumaguete is spearheading the search for 75 Dumagueteños who have achieved meaningful contributions to their fields and to the community.

𝔾𝕦𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕊𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟:
1. The Awards Committee must select 75 individuals and/or institutions which it deems are worthy of the honor of being bestowed the Outstanding Dumagueteño Award.
2. The Awards Committee must select 15 (fifteen) individuals and/or institutions to fall under the following categories:
• 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕤 [includes politicians, diplomats, revolutionaries, community leaders, and civic reform leaders] • 𝔸𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔼𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕤 [includes literary writers, translators, painters and sculptors, designers and illustrators, dancers and choreographers, musicians and composers, actors, directors, filmmakers, singers and other performers, architects, fashion designers, game designers, gallerists, culinary artists, librarians, and culture and heritage workers] • 𝔹𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕤 [includes businessmen, moguls, founders and creators and innovators of industry, labor leaders, and sports leaders] • 𝕊𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤 [includes pure scientists and researchers, environmentalists, mathematicians, medical technologists, inventors, philosophers, anthropologists, sociologists, and historians] • ℍ𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕀𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤 [includes war veterans, athletes and sports personalities, clergy and evangelists and missionaries, community reformers, human rights and other social advocates, educators, farmers, and people of singular and unclassifiable achievements and renown] 3. The nominee must have brought honor and prestige to the City of Dumaguete through:
• Outstanding performance in one’s field of specialization or area of responsibility
• Unquestioned integrity
• Exemplary lifestyle and conduct as evidenced by the respect and high regard of family, friends, associates, and the general public
4. The nominees need not be born in Dumaguete City, but they must have spent a considerable number of years in residence in the city, or have spent a good portion of their professional lives in the city.
5. The nominee must not be part of the Diamond Jubilee Directorate, or a current employee [or a relative of a current employee up to the third degree] of LGU Dumaguete.
6. Post-humous nominations are accepted.
7. A public call for nomination will be issued on 14 March 2024. 𝐍𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧̃𝐨 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝟑𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.
The nomination portfolio includes a consent form to be accomplished by living nominees for their names to be considered for the nomination. Post-humous nominations require a consent form from the family of the deceased. If there is no consent, the nomination will be withdrawn. All parts of the nomination portfolio must be completed. The committee reserves the right to refuse a nomination based on incomplete forms.
8. The Awards Committee retains the right to consider individuals not nominated in the public call. Individuals nominated by members of the committee need not have nomination forms, but the Secretariat will endeavor to complete the same requirement in behalf of the committee.
9. The Awards Committee will endeavor to make a shortlist of 150 potential awardees by August 2024. From that shortlist, they will have to make the final list of 75 awardees before 1 October 2024.
10. All living awardees must be present on the awarding day, set on 23 November 2024, to be able to receive their award, except for those with compelling reasons not to be present.
11. The announcement of the 75 Outstanding Dumagueteño Awardees will be posted by LGU Dumaguete on 1 October 2024.
12. The Outstanding Dumagueteño Awardees will be given a medallion, a plaque, and P10,000, plus other special awards to be determined by LGU Dumaguete.
13. The decision of the Awards Committee will be final, and sent to the Dumaguete City Mayor for approval.
ℂ𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝔼𝕧𝕒𝕝𝕦𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟:
1. The nominee has demonstrated exemplary competence in their field, has contributed innovation to that field, and has considerable impact on the community because of this competence.
2. The nominee has demonstrated exemplary personal qualities and character [morality and integrity], has good human relations, and has developed outstanding leadership.
3. The nominee has demonstrated steadfast community involvement outside of their areas of responsibility.
The nomination portfolio is available at https://bit.ly/ODAwards75th. It should be accompanied by the following:
a. A cover letter signed by the head or designated representative of the nominating organization. The cover letter shall be accompanied by a Board Resolution approving the nominee concerned with the said resolution signed by the organization President and duly certified by the Board Secretary;
b. A duly accomplished nomination form;
c. A detailed curriculum vitae of the nominee including address and contact details;
d. A list of the nominee’s significant works categorized according to the criteria.
e. The latest 2” x 2” photograph (color or black and white) of the nominee.
f. Pertinent information materials on the nominee’s significant works.
g. Copies of published reviews, if any.
h. Any other document that might be required
Fully completed nomination form and attachments must be submitted to:
The Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards Secretariat
c/o Dumaguete City Tourism Office
Dumaguete City Hall Compound
6200 Dumaguete City
Or email to: odawards75th@gmail.com
The deadline for nominations is on 𝟑𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, at 11 PM. Nominations received beyond the announced deadline for submission of nominations shall not be considered.
The nominators are enjoined to accomplish the nomination form in full to be able to highlight the significant data on the works and achievements of the nominee. Incomplete nominations shall not be accepted. Additional sheets may be attached to the nomination form.