Thousands rally amid reports of CDO mayor’s suspension

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Thousands trooped to the city hall compound here to show their support to Mayor Vicente Emano, who is reported to be facing a suspension order.

Emano’s supporters vowed to keep vigil until Friday when the deadline for the supposed serving of the suspension order will supposedly lapse.

City administrator Leon Gan said it is likely that the suspension order stemmed from one of two cases filed against the mayor.

Rumors on the suspension order spread last Monday when Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas came here last Monday.

It was also reported that former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile are expected to come here anytime this week to show their support to Emano.

Omar Labuntog, one of the barangay chairmen who joined the rally in support of Emano, said suspension orders are “old types of political harassment.”

“Let the people decide in an election,” Labuntog said.

Gan said Emano would question the suspension order before the Court of Appeals. – Gerry Gorit, Freeman News Service