Pasay vice mayor cries ‘harassment’

Pasay Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto cried "harassment" over a second suspension order that blocked his return to City Hall, saying he would appeal his case before the local court.

Calixto was supposed to be reinstated last Wednesday after a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals lifted his suspension over alleged anomalies in garbage collection and disposal contracts entered into by the Pasay City government.

A day later, however, a suspension order from Malacañang was served by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

"This is absurd. It seems like we are playing games here," he said.

Calixto said his lawyer, Emmanuel Phidias Ramos, will file a motion for reconsideration before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The second suspension order stemmed from a complaint filed by acting Mayor Allan Panaligan, acting Vice Mayor Arvin Tolentino and Councilors Marlon Pesebre and Jonathan Cabrera.

"Panaligan’s camp alleged that I committed grave abuse of authority by not assigning personnel who would directly be under their supervision. But on the contrary, I produced 25 casuals for Panaligan and Tolentino who were all councilors during that time," he said.

Calixto said they will likewise pursue the filing of a motion to cite for contempt Panaligan and Tolentino for their refusal to honor the TRO issued by the CA.

He expressed doubt on the recent order Malacañang.

"Only photocopies of the order are being circulated. There were even reports that Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita denied releasing such an order," he said.

Meanwhile, Panaligan maintained that unless the DILG serves the TRO released by the CA, they would not acknowledge Calixto as vice mayor.

A month ago, Calixto, along with Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad and 10 councilors, was removed from office over the garbage collection deals.

In his petition for a TRO, Calixto noted that he was not among those who approved the questionable contracts.