Thursday, April 17, 2008 Suspended mayor to be billed for illegal power, water usage
MANILA -- Rodriguez, Rizal Vice Mayor Jonas Cruz, who is the acting town mayor, said the Municipal Government is set to charge suspended Mayor Pedro Cuerpo for the electricity and water usage he utilized during his continued stay inside his office at the Municipal Hall since March 24.
Cuerpo remained defiant and reiterated he would not be leaving his office despite several notices by the Provincial Board (PB), which suspended him for 60 days. The Municipal Council has also issued another six-month suspension for not recognizing the PB's suspension order.
"Cuerpo's occupation of the Office of the Municipal Mayor despite the suspension continues to create tension and confusion among the employees in the municipality," said Cruz.
"We are arranging with the accounting department to bill him for his prolonged stay in the town hall causing him unauthorized and unjustified utilization of electric, water and communications expenses," he added.
The suspended mayor, however, continued to defy the order to vacate the office. He vowed to continue with his "symbolic protest" notwithstanding the threat of eviction and other additional charges to be filed against him by Cruz.
"I will not leave this municipal office," he said.
Cuerpo chose to stay inside his office pending result of his appeal from Malacañang, seeking a reversal of the suspension meted to him by the Municipal Council.
Meanwhile, two staunch supporters of Cuerpo identified as Devel John Managuey and Hansel Santos, both of Barangay Burgos in the town, were arrested by the police for reportedly leading a mob to enter the town hall Tuesday afternoon.
Two municipal employees were also wounded when an armed supporter opened fire during a commotion between Cuerpo's followers and the police.
Cruz said he already requested for assistance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to resolve the issue and Cuerpo's insistence to stay in his office.
But the vice mayor said he will not forcibly remove Cuerpo from his office, adding that he will exhaust legal remedies to avoid any unnecessary physical harm.
"I shall be constrained to take necessary legal steps to protect the rights and interest of the people of Rodriguez," he said.
When asked whether the 60-day preventive suspension -- February 13 to April 13 -- of Cuerpo will be deducted from the six-month suspension, Cruz said he has yet to consult the legal department on the matter. (AH/Sunnex)
