Tuesday, July 03, 2007 Radaza sworn in; suspension still to be lifted
REELECTED Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza yesterday pledged to have an administration that is business-friendly, less bureaucratic, and free from crimes and drugs.
Radaza, who was among those suspended over the alleged overpriced purchase of decorative lamps, said there are things that need to be corrected but mistakes should not hinder efforts to convert Lapu-Lapu into a highly urbanized city.
“What is good for business should be good for the city,” Radaza said in his 20-minute speech during the new City Council’s inaugural session. The speech drew applause from members of the City Council and guests who included businessman Joseph Gaisano and officials of the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
At the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, Acting Deputy Ombudsman Virginia Santiago said yesterday that whether Radaza continues to be suspended now depends on Tanodbayan Merceditas Gutierrez.
Santiago said the panel of investigators handling the case had long resolved Radaza’s motion to lift the preventive suspension.
“We have already submitted our recommendation to Manila. It was marked urgent. It is all up to the Tanodbayan now,” she said.
Santiago, however, would not comment if the mayor, who already took his oath office for his third and last term as city mayor, would get into trouble by assuming the post.
“I don’t want to preempt what the Tanodbayan might want to do,” she said.
Yesterday’s inaugural session at Lapu-Lapu City started with an 8:30 a.m. mass officiated by Fr. Roberto Villanueva.
Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) and over 20 policemen headed by City Police Chief Louie Oppus secured the activity.
Radaza was fetched from his office by City Councilors Eduardo Cuizon, Rudolfo Potot, Marcial Ycong, Cornelio Pahang and Damian Gomez. He entered the session hall at 10:11 a.m.
He was made to sit beside Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Mario Amores while the latter was introducing newly elected councilors to the audience.
When asked about Radaza’s plans, newly elected Councilor Efren Herrera, the only opposition candidate in the current council, said “I hope he can do it.”
While Herrera pledged to be a fiscalizer in the council, he said this role should not be a block in the city’s development.
Radaza said that among his priorities for his final term are the 25-hectare socialized housing project in Barangay Canjulao and the several hectares of Mactan North Reclamation Project that stretches from the foreshore lands of Barangay Ibo to Barangay Mactan.
Fireworks in front of City Hall capped the inaugural session, which was adjourned at 10:40 a.m. on a motion by Councilor Gomez. Lunch was offered before the department heads and City Hall employees returned to work.
In his homily, Fr. Villanueva urged those who lost in the last election to reconcile with the officials and accept defeat.
Newly elected president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Leo Mercado was recognized as ex-officio member of the council, through a motion by Gomez that was accepted by councilors en masse.
As part of Radaza’s priorities, the city pledged a P4 million allotment from the annual investment plan for the construction of a city environment office and the creation of the Mactan Business Club.
Radaza was ordered administratively suspended at the close of his second term because of his alleged participation in the Asean Summit lamppost controversy.
He was suspended together with former Mandaue City mayor Thadeo Ouano.
Radaza, as early as two weeks after winning the May elections, had asked the anti-graft office to lift his preventive suspension.
In a motion addressed to Santiago, he cited a Supreme Court (SC) ruling commonly referred to as the Aguinaldo doctrine and “the good of the service.”
Radaza also said there is no need to continue his preventive suspension because he and all other parties to the case have already submitted their counter-affidavits. (AIV/KNR)
