PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – Newly installed Mayor Ruben Huerta of this town on Saturday vowed to pursue good governance and transparency.
Shortly after assuming the post from ousted Mayor Lucio Uera last Thursday, Huerta said he would not seek revenge.
“A fair and equitable distribution of justice and resources will be the blueprint of my crusade against corruption,” Huerta said.
Huerta, who was Uera’s running mate in the 2013 elections, was installed as mayor by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) five months after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales dismissed Uera for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.
Uera’s ouster stemmed from the illegal suspension and termination of 40 municipal hall employees nine years ago.
Uera claimed he was merely exercising his supervision power over the employees, whom he claimed refused to report for work.
Aside from Huerta, the DILG also installed Uera’s nephew, first Councilor Vincent Uera as vice mayor.
Huerta said he knew the municipal government is beset with financial problems.
He said Uera’s predecessor, former mayor Romeo Borja Sr., left a P250-million debt. Of the amount, only P80 million was paid under Uera’s term.
The new mayor said he would promote tourism development and would bank on the town’s natural beauty and climate, which is similar to Baguio City.