Mexico mayor suspended

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Pampanga ordered on October 25,2012 the suspension of Mexico City Mayor Teddy Tumang for three months without pay.

The DILG order, which took effect last Thursday, stressed: “The order denied the motion for reconsideration filed in your behalf, thus imposing against you the three months suspension without pay as stated in the Ombudsman decision dated November 8, 2010.”

It added: “In this connection, the undersigned [Director Angie Blanco] hereby directs you to cease and desist from exercising the powers and performing your duties and responsibilities as Municipal Mayor of Mexico, Pampanga for the period stated above. Accordingly, the elected Vice-Mayor shall temporarily assume the Office of the Municipal Mayor while the suspension is in effect, unless the Court orders otherwise.”

The DILG Provincial Office Monday afternoon, led by Director Angie Blanco, as witnessed by Provincial Police Director R’win Pagkalinawan, posted the suspension order at the door of Tumang’s office.

Tumang, however, was not in his office as he reportedly left for the Supreme Court after the Monday morning flag rites, to allegedly appeal his case.

As of this posting, acting Mayor Roy Manalastas failed to occupy the suspended mayor’s office because it is not yet cleared of Tumang’s personal belongings and is remained locked.

Manalastas is set to officially perform the duties of the mayor today, Tuesday.

The acting mayor vowed to make use of the three-month post at the Mayor’s office for the benefit of the people of Mexico, Pampanga.

Manalastas told Sun.Star Pampanga he would immediately buckle down to work today, Tuesday, and start pushing for the delivery of basic services like health, infrastructure, and education.

“Marami ang dapat gawin at punuin para sa mga taga-Mexico. In my rounds and caucus in barangays, there are so many things that people here need and are complaining of that have not been delivered. Ito ang ating gagawin sa susunod na tatlong buwan. Gagawin ko ang makakaya ko,” Manalastas added.

The Office of the Ombudsman has found Tumang and a barangay chief guilty for violating Section 5 (a) of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

When asked if he filed the case against the suspended mayor, Manalastas said it was not him who filed the case against Tumang and that his relationship with the mayor is still cordial.

“This is nothing personal at wala kaming pinag-awayan ni Mayor Tumang. I will just do my work based on the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government and Ombudsman,” Manalastas said.

He also thanked employees of the Municipal Government for immediately recognizing him as officer-in-charge for the next 90 days. (Jovi T. De Leon)