CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno said Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vicente Emano should "study his law" in response to the latter's statement that he will not allow the City Government to conduct clearing operations within the Capitol premises.
"He does not know what he's talking about. Pasagdi na lang (Let him be)," Moreno said in an interview following the Mayor's Night in celebration of last Saturday's National Teacher's Day.
Last week, Emano said while he supports President Rodrigo Duterte's directive, he pointed out that the Capitol is not part of the city, so therefore city officials should not intervene with how he runs it.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a, however, maintained that since the Capitol is within the premises of the city, it should also follow city rules and regulations.
Sabuga-a also said that if the governor refuses to clear the Capitol premises from obstruction, Emano should answer to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Moreno also expressed his gratitude to the DILG for its support in the City Government's clearing operations.
"Ang kanindot anang program sa clearing kay walay exemption. Nagpasalamat pud ko sa DILG for the full support (What's great about the road clearing program is it exempts no one. I am also grateful to the DILG for the full support). We cannot do it alone," Moreno said.
However, the mayor added that despite the City Government and the DILG's efforts, Emano still see the clearing operations as part of politics.
"Tan-awa kun kami, bisan na gani naa ang DILG, like karon si Bambi, mura ra'g gyapon politika sa iya, it should be beyond politics," Moreno said.
"The law should be beyond politics," he added.
The mayor also assured that the clearing operation in other priority areas will still continue.