THREE-TERMER Mayor Danilo Guintu of Masantol town is now facing a 90-day suspension after the Office of the Ombudsman charged him for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.
The suspension order stemmed from the complaint filed by incumbent Councilor Bernie Guevarra, former vice mayor Ralph Nulud and former councilor Chris Bondoc on October 11, 2017 against Guintu for allegedly allowing the operation of “tiangge” (open market) during Saturdays, instead of its regular schedule on Thursdays.
The complaint alleged that Guintu’s action in allowing the said weekly activity, which required the closing of portion of the Poblacion Road to motorists, disregarded Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-003 Series of 2015 and the Masantol Traffic Code.
Under the said Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-003 Series of 2015, it allowed the portion of Poblacion Road to be closed during Thursday mornings to become the site of “tiangge” or open market.
Guintu, in his Letter of Appeal, refuted that the said ordinance did not specifically note that the holding of “tiangge” is allowed during Thursdays only, thus allowing it during Saturdays does not violate any law.
However, Guintu’s defense was not heard by the Ombudsman instead was ordered to cease and desist from performing his duties and privileges as local chief executive, or any other public office he may be holding, starting Thursday noon until December 13.
First-termer Vice Mayor Epifanio “Boboy” Lacap, Jr. has temporarily assumed the mayoralty role while first Councilor Liezle “Buday” Guintu is the vice mayor while the 90-day suspension is in effect.
In an interview Friday morning, September 13, Guintu said he had cordially received the suspension order served by the Department of Interior and Local Government as a respect to the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“It was finally decided and it is only rightful that we accept it cordially and abide to what it required us to do,” he said.
Guintu, however, clarified that his decision to allow the holding of “tiangge” during Saturdays, a no-class day, is in response to the request of market vendors and buyers to move it from its original schedule in the hope of having better income.
“Since Saturday is a weekend, more people can enjoy the ‘tiangge’ and in return, our vendors will have more income so when they requested for it and I thought that it is for the betterment of my constituents, I agreed to it,” he said.
Guintu, meanwhile, assured Masantoleños that the programs and projects he initiated, especially distribution of financial assistance to sick and elderly and other members of the marginalized sector, as well as the construction of infrastructures, will be continuous despite his suspension.
He added that he will be spending his next 90-days going around the municipality and meeting his constituents to hear their concerns that will help in better serving them when he comes back to office.
“I will be taking a little time to rest but after that, I will go around and talk to my constituents because I believe that public service is not limited to public office alone,” he said.