Suspended LU mayor yields post peacefully

SAN FERNANDO, La Union — The mayor of Sudipen, La Union yielded his post peacefully yesterday after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended him for three months for alleged abuse of authority, gross negligence and betrayal of public trust.

Mayor Alexander Buquing told The STAR in a phone interview that he decided to give way for the good of the municipality, adding though that he would still contest his suspension because he was denied due process.

"Yes, I already gave way," he said as he confirmed that Vice Mayor Feliza Catcatan and councilor Melvin Macusi had been sworn in by Judge Revelino Ringor as acting mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

He said he would file a motion for reconsideration with the Ombudsman, adding that he would consult a lawyer if he could file a court petition for a temporary restraining order.

Buquing’s suspension order was served last Jan. 9 by Corazon Guray, assistant regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

In suspending him, the Ombudsman found merit on the complaint filed by four councilors led by Macusi on July 24 last year after he refused to provide the municipal council with the necessary "program of work" on the various projects he had implemented.

He was alleged to have implemented several projects without valid contracts. He challenged the councilors to file a case against him when he denied their request for the documents.

"It should be noted that the law guarantees access to public documents (like program of work). Such refusal may be considered as a violation of the law or that there was excessive abuse of authority which may either amount to grave misconduct or gross neglect of duty," stated the Ombudsman’s decision signed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Victor Fernandez.

Municipal operations had been halted since Thursday last week when Buquing’s supporters massed in front of the town hall and employees locked their offices.