Joy Bernos

The Honorable Maria Jocelyn Bernos
Vice Governor of Abra
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022[a]
Preceded by	Ronald S. Balao-as
Succeeded by	Russell Bragas[b]
25th Governor of Abra
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Eustaquio Bersamin
Succeeded by	Dominic Valera
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives of Lone District of Abra
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Cecilia Seares-Luna
Succeeded by	Joseph Sto. Niño B. Bernos
Personal details
Born	(1977-01-09) January 9, 1977 (age 48) Bangued, Abra, Philippines
Political party	NUP (2015–present) Asenso (2010–present)
Other political affiliations	Liberal (2012–2015) PDSP (2009–2012)
Spouse	Marc Ysrael Bernos (deceased)
Children	3
Parent	Dominic Valera (father)

Maria Jocelyn "Joy" Valera Bernos (born January 9, 1977) is a Filipina politician currently serving as the vice governor of Abra.[1] She was previously the governor of the province from 2016 to 2022, a member of the House of Representatives representing Abra's at-large congressional district from 2010 to 2016, and a member of the Abra Provincial Board from 2007 to 2010.[2]

She stood for the 2016 gubernatorial election under the banner of the NUP,[3] however, since 2019, she has stood as a member of ASENSO.[2][4]

On August 12, 2024, she was ordered suspended by President Bongbong Marcos for 18 months following an investigation into her unilaterally ordering the lockdown of a hospital in Bangued during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when she was governor.[5] However, her suspension was halted on technical grounds by a court in Abra, which issued a 20-day temporary restraining order against the decision on September 2.[6] The TRO expired on 23 September, rendering the supension final and executory.[7]

References

1. "Governor Bernos attends the Exchange of Good Practices on Decentralization". Abra.gov.ph. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
2. "Governor and Vice Governor re-elected in Abra". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 26 July 2019. The Provincial Electoral Board of Canvassers on Tuesday proclaimed Joseph Sto. Niño "JB" Bernos, Maria Jocelyn "Joy" Bernos and Ronald Balao-as as the winning candidates for congressman, governor, and vice-governor, respectively, of this province. ... The early proclamation came in an en banc decision of the Comelec around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday after lawyer Estelita Cordero, counsel of the three officials under their ASENSO party ...
3. "ABRA | Provincial Results | Eleksyon2016 | Results -". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
4. "Halalan 2022 ABRA, CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION Election Results". ABS-CBN News. 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
5. "Malacañang suspends Abra vice governor over COVID-19 hospital lockdown order". Rappler. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
6. "Court stops Malacañang's suspension of Abra vice governor". Rappler. September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
7. Quitasol, Aldwin (September 30, 2024). "Abra vice governor suspension final, says OP". Retrieved September 30, 2024.

Notes

1. Suspended from August 12, 2024 to September 2, 2024 and since September 23, 2024
2. acting from August 12, 2024 to September 2, 2024 and since September 23

External links

• Media related to Maria Jocelyn Bernos at Wikimedia Commons
• Province of Abra Official Website

House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Cecilia Seares-Luna	Representative, Lone District of Abra 2010–2016	Succeeded by Joseph Sto. Niño B. Bernos
Political offices
Preceded by Eustaquio P. Bersamin	Governor of Abra 2016–2022	Succeeded by Dominic Valera
Preceded by Ronald Balao-as	Vice-Governor of Abra 2022–	Incumbent