Feuding Malabon mayors set aside differences; employees’ paychecks signed

Malabon city hall’s over 2,000 employees, feeling distressed after failing to get their salaries last June 15, heaved a collective sigh of relief after the vouchers were finally signed a week later last Monday afternoon. Thanks to a common masterful stroke from the city’s two mayors that did not fail to elicit respect and gratitude from the people, observers said.

In a selfless gesture, feuding Mayor Amado "Boy" Vicencio and Mark Allan Jay Yambao, temporarily set aside their differences and agreed to smoke the peace pipe even for a day paving the way for the employees’ relief.

Yambao signed the vouchers with the "blessing" of Vicencio, who took a two-day leave Monday "to give Yambao a free hand" in the signing of the papers just so the employees get their paychecks.

City treasurer Ernesto Pabustan and officials of the local PNB were put in a bind as to whose signature to honor. The check, which sources said amounted to some P6-million, from the Office of the Treasurer was promptly honored by PNB, the local government depository, allowing the employees to finally get their pay.

Vicencio announced Monday he was taking a two-day leave so that Yambao could sign the papers or else he will take the responsibility himself when he returns Wednesday and sign them himself, the gods be damned.

"Kung gusto nila, kasuhan nila ako after signing," a defiant Vicencio said. The mayor pointed out that he has not conceded to the young Yambao and remains to be the rightful mayor. His claim was anchored on the CA decision even as Yambao is staying put as ordered by a DILG order now being questioned by Vicencio’s camp. Vicencio’s term as mayor ends on June 30, a full week to go.

Today, Vicencio’s two-day leave expires. He said he will return to the city hall as he vowed. "Pwesto ko ‘to," Vicencio said.

Acting Mayor Yambao himself had earlier showed some tenacity and would not back down either. But the people are hoping the uneasy calm that pervaded yesterday will hold, at least until June 30, when the conflict would have died a natural death with the entry of a new administration.