Joy Bernos
Filipino politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maria Jocelyn "Joy" Valera Bernos (born January 9, 1977) is a Filipina politician who served as the vice governor of Abra before her final suspension on September 23, 2024.[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]
Maria Jocelyn Bernos | |
|---|---|
| |
| Vice Governor of Abra | |
| In office June 30, 2022 – September 23, 2024[a] | |
| Governor | Dominic Valera |
| Preceded by | Ronald S. Balao-as |
| Succeeded by | Russell Bragas[b] |
| Governor of Abra | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Vice Governor | Ronald S. Balao-as |
| Preceded by | Takit 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 | January 9, 1977 |
| Party | NUP (2015–present) Asenso Abrenio (local party; 2010–present) |
Other political affiliations | Liberal (2012–2015) PDSP (2009–2012) |
| Spouse | Marc Ysrael Bernos (deceased) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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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 Abrenio.[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 September 23, rendering the suspension final and executory.[7]
Bernos ran again for vice governor in 2025 but lost to Anne Bersamin.[8]
