Suspended Bulacan town mayor refuses to step down

NORZAGARAY, Bulacan, Philippines – Tension continues to grip this town as the suspended mayor still clings to his post, preventing the vice mayor from assuming the position in an acting capacity.

However, Vice Mayor Rogelio Santos gave assurance that he would not take any hostile action against suspended Mayor Feliciano Legazpi, saying he wants a peaceful turnover.

Santos was supposed to take over as acting mayor last week after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Legazpi for six months on charges of oppression and abuse of authority filed by municipal budget officer Yolanda Ervas.

Santos told The STAR that residents are getting confused on who is their rightful mayor now, as Legazpi continues to stay in his office, arguing that he is still not suspended because the Ombudsman has yet to act on his motion for reconsideration.

According to Santos, the Ombudsman’s resolution is clear and this was echoed in an order issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Signed by Florida Dija, the DILG regional director, the order directs Legazpi “to cease and desist from exercising the powers and performing the duties and responsibilities” as Norzagaray mayor.

Santos said he issued a memorandum to all municipal department heads last week, asking them to report to him, but none heeded his call.

Besides arguing that the Ombudsman’s decision is not final and executory, Legazpi said he did not personally receive the DILG order and that this was received by the municipal human resources officer who later returned the order to the DILG regional office.

In an interview, Legazpi said Santos’ moves were premature and politically motivated.

However, Santos said politics is not involved in his assumption as acting mayor, adding that he is not running for mayor or re-electionist vice mayor but for councilor in the 2013 polls.

Santos was first elected as municipal councilor in the 2004 elections when he ran under the banner of Aksyon Demokratiko.

In 2007, Legazpi asked him to be his running mate and their tandem won. They were both re-elected in 2010.