MABALACAT CITY -- Newly-proclaimed Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, who assumed post on Friday, June 30, vowed to effect a conciliatory administration.
“The people of Mabalacat should not be afraid because I will establish a conciliatory administration and I will not be vindictive.”
The new mayor also expressed hope that he will become an instrument of peace and unity among the people of Mabalacat.
“I always pray for our beloved city. I enjoin our people to unite for the progress of Mabalacat,” Garbo said.
The Regional Trial Court Branch 58 denied the extension of a 72-hour temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by Vice Mayor Christian Halili, who assumed the city's mayorship last June 19 after Mayor Marino Morales stepped down from his post.
Morales relinquished his post after the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) served a cease and desist order in connection to his disqualification in the last mayoralty race.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Garbo on Tuesday, June 27, as the city’s new mayor.
The DILG ordered the implementation of the poll body’s en banc resolution cancelling Morales’ certificate of candidacy from the last elections.
The Comelec stated that Morales was disqualified in the 2016 elections after serving three successive terms as mayor, the maximum allowed by law.