Pimentel calls for Emano’s ouster

FORMER senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said Monday that he does not only want Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano suspended but also ousted from office.

“Si Emano di lang angay masuspendi kung di maipalagpot ug mapriso gyud,” he said in a text message to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Pimentel’s statement came in reaction to the pronouncement of Emano’s camp that he had a hand in the alleged suspension order against the mayor.

Emano also said earlier that Pimentel, who served as mayor of Cagayan de Oro from 1980 to 1984, has done nothing for the city.

But Pimentel said the people “know his contributions for the progress of the city.”

“Nangahibalo ang mga tawo kung unsay akong nahimo alang sa siyudad. Pero mas nahibalo sila nga wala akoy gipasipad-an nga bisan usa ka tawo. Labaw nga wala akoy gikawat nga salapi sa lungsod,” he said.

For his part, Emano said in his radio program that he has high respects for the elder Pimentel.

“Pero unsa may sala nako nga ipapriso man gyud ko ni Senator Pimentel?” he said.

Pimentel and his son, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, were earlier blamed by Emano’s supporters as one of those behind the alleged issuance of “suspension order” that resulted in a week-long political tension at City Hall.

Emano’s supporters came in droves and barricaded City Hall to stop the supposed “suspension order.”

But Rene Burdeos, regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), denied any suspension order against Emano.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas even called the alleged suspension order as Emano’s handiwork, calling the mayor as a “drama expert.”

Under Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 9409, one of those listed as “prohibited acts” is the suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer during the election period without prior approval of the Commission, unless the said suspension “will be for purposes of applying the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”

Burdeos said if there will really be a suspension order against Emano, they still have to ask authority from Comelec, especially if the case is in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.