DILG: Mayor has been dismissed

The Department of Interior and Local Government said yesterday former Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad could not take over the city hall because he has been dismissed for graft by the Office of the Ombudsman.

DILG Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar said Trinidad could no longer go back to his office because Pasay City Mayor Allan Panaligan is now the local chief executive.

"Former Mayor Trinidad could insist that he is now the city mayor after he had served the five-month long suspension as ordered by the Ombudsman. That suspension has been overtaken by events after the Ombudsman decided on the graft case and dismissed him," said Andanar.

Tension gripped the compound of the Pasay City Hall after supporters of Trinidad insisted on getting inside the city hall premises but they were blocked by anti-riot policemen. Police also used water cannons to push back the supporters.

Andanar said Trinidad should instead seek relief from the property court just like what Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay did when he was being suspended by the Ombudsman. — Cecille Suerte Felipe