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Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Projects, wages now on hold in Valencia
By Danilo V. Adorador III
VALENCIA CITY -- Basic services and locally-funded projects in this city run the risk of being disrupted if Mayor Jose Galario Jr. continues to disobey the suspension order from the Ombudsman, an official warned.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Quirino Libunao also said employees can expect empty pockets with the city's coffers frozen in banks in the absence of proper authority for disbursing funds.
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The DILG-Northern Mindanao, in implementing the suspension order on January 3, notified the banks not to transact anymore with Galario.
Galario, however, defied the DILG order and continued holding office and performed public functions.
Although DILG does not recognize Galario as the sitting mayor, it is also uncertain as to who the mayor's replacement is.
Helen Banal, a councilor, was sworn in last week to temporarily replace Vice Mayor Benjamin Verano.
Verano was to act as mayor until Galario's suspension "subsists."
But Verano refused to be sworn in as acting mayor -- assumedly elevating Banal to the higher post.
This created "certain complications," said Libunao, adding that they recognize Vice Mayor Verano as acting mayor but he refuses to take on the job. On the other hand, Councilor Banal should now be legally deemed as acting mayor because of the vice mayor's refusal.
Banal, he said, was scheduled to be formally sworn in Monday as acting mayor, but the DILG put it off "pending a follow-up order from the Ombudsman."
"The order will be expected anytime this week, so we are awaiting that to finally resolve this matter once and for all," he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Earlier, Galario's lawyers criticized the DILG's handling of the suspension order.
Manuel Ravanera, one of Galario's lawyers, said the DILG's action to swear in Bernal to be vice mayor smacks of irregularity.
Ravanera pointed out that when Bernal was sworn in, Verano had not yet vacated his post -- resulting in a "unique" and "weird" situation where the city has two vice mayors at present.
Galario's suspension stemmed from the complaints of former Valencia City treasurer Ruth Piano, who claimed the mayor had unlawfully dismissed her in 2005.
Libunao said Galario, in defying the suspension order, may be held liable for usurpation of public office and may be cited for contempt of court. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (January 9, 2007 issue)
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