Ousted mayor’s supporters to block dismissal order

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Supporters of ousted Mayor Jefferson Soriano barricaded the city hall yesterday to prevent representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from delivering a dismissal order handed down by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“We respect the rule of law, but (the DILG) should also show equal respect by delivering the order to the mayor himself,” Soriano’s wife, Eleanor, told The STAR.

Soriano is in Manila to file his appeal on the ombudsman’s order removing him and city administrator Ronald Brillantes for grave abuse of authority for allowing the operation of a street fair without authorization from the city council.

Eleanor said she was informed the DILG was set to serve the order.

Wearing blue ribbons, Soriano’s supporters vowed to hold a vigil at the city hall premises to prevent the DILG from delivering the order.