Isabela mayor suspended

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines  – A municipal mayor in Isabela has been suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly poking a gun at a supporter of his political rival in the last local elections.

Mayor Gilbert Masigan of Sta. Maria was ordered suspended for nine days and temporarily replaced by Vice Mayor Geoffrey Formoso, who was the complainant in the case.

Provincial interior and local government director Elpidio Duruin installed Formoso as acting mayor and Councilor Erol Lagui as vice mayor.

The two officials took their oath before Cabagan Judge Jesus Torio II on Wednesday.

Asigan reportedly threatened to shoot the supporter of former mayor Omar Masigan, who happened to be his cousin and running mate of Formoso.

Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera rejected Masigan’s defense that the complaint against him had nothing to do with his official function as mayor.

“The respondent’s action reflected his non-compliance with the law,” Mosquera said in a ruling obtained by The STAR recently.