Palace acts on complaint vs Emano

MANILA, Philippines - Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano is under investigation by the Office of the President in connection with an administrative complaint filed against him for allegedly allowing local folk to occupy a sandbar hit by tropical storm “Sendong” last December.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has issued a “notice to explain” to Emano in response to the complaint.

The Office of the President has jurisdiction over city mayors and governors with regard to administrative complaints.

According to the complaint by private citizens, Emano allegedly allowed people to occupy Isla de Oro, a sandbar at the mouth of Cagayan River, where nearly 1,000 houses were destroyed by rampaging floodwaters at the height of Sendong.

Valte said Emano has not yet submitted his reply.

A recall petition against Emano by the Save CDO Now group is gaining ground, too.