Urbiztondo VM assumes post of suspended mayor
SUSPENSION ORDER
URBIZTONDO—The suspension order against Mayor Ernesto Balolong Jr. took effect last April 15, although he claims he has yet to receive a copy of the order, and Vice Mayor Raul Martin Sison has already temporarily taken over the office.
In a phone interview Wednesday, Balolong insists he has not received a copy of his suspension order issued by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. upon the recommendation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., chairman of the committee on Good Government and Accountability of Public Officers that decided on the administrative cases filed before it, earlier said that under the rules of court, summons or order may be served either personally, substituted service or service by publication.
Substituted service is posting a particular order in the office of the official concerned or in his residence and an affidavit to that effect will be executed by the serving person or sheriff as the case may be, Bince explained.
He added that this option was taken because the mayor and everyone in his office refused to accept the order.
Balolong denied this saying he reported to his office last week but no order was served.
Nonetheless, the mayor said his lawyers had already filed an appeal before the Office of the President to lift his suspension order.
In the meantime, Balolong said he is confident of the continued support of the townsfolk citing supporters who maintain that they only recognize him as the duly elected mayor.
Balolong, who beat the vice mayor’s mother in the 2013 mayoralty election, asserts that the suspension order is politically-motivated.
One of the SP members is Sison’s father.
“I’m okay although they are making life difficult to me… perhaps this is the kind of sacrifice I have to bear this Holy Week,” Balolong said.
In another previous administrative case filed against Balolong, he also appealed to Malacañang which in turn issued an order lifting the suspension.
Balolong said he will await the decision of the Palace on his second case.
The charges arise from Balolong’s alleged illegal fund withdrawals from a controversial loan made by the municipality from the Philippine National Bank.—Tita Roces
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