Vice mayor ordered suspended for abuse

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The vice mayor of Gamu town was ordered suspended by the provincial board of Isabela for allegedly committing grave abuse of authority and refusing to return a government vehicle issued to him when he was the municipal mayor.

Vice Mayor Fernando Cumigad, a staunch follower of former governor now Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca, was meted with a 60-day suspension based on the complaint filed by his successor Mayor Nestor Uy.

Uy claimed Cumigad refused to return a vehicle issued to him by the government when he was the town mayor.

The vehicle, a Nissan 4x4 Bravado sport utility vehicle, was figured in a collision with a crew cab of the ABS-CBN in Nueva Vizcaya last Aug. 6.

Uy reportedly asked Cumigad to turn the vehicle over to the local government after the elections last May, but he allegedly refused.

Cumigad said he has yet to receive a copy of the order. He said he might appeal his case before the Office of the President.