‘Gag orders’ issued to 2 mayors of Ilocos town

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – To ease the tension, the two claimants to the mayoral post of Marcos town in Ilocos Norte were barred from speaking in yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the municipal hall.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office reportedly issued the directive pending an order from the DILG central office and from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as to who between Arsenio Agustin and Salvador Pillos is the rightful mayor.

“The two mayors were allowed to attend the flag-raising ceremony… but were not allowed to speak in front of the municipal employees,” Superintendent Jeffrey Gorospe, spokesman for the Ilocos Norte police, said.

Pillos, then the incumbent, lost to Agustin by less than 1,000 votes in the last May polls. He however, insisted he is the legal mayor of the town after the poll body nullified the latter’s certificate of candidacy due to his dual citizenship.

Agustin argued he is the legitimate mayor after the municipal board of canvassers proclaimed him as the winning candidate in the recent polls.

Both took their oath on June 30 and have been holding their respective offices at the municipal hall. Pillos has been staying at the mayor’s office since his first term ended on June 30.

Agustin, who was sworn into office by Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos, said that his camp is now readying charges of usurpation of authority against Pillos. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig