Calixto slips into Pasay city hall

After being turned away twice by the police, dismissed Pasay City Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto successfully slipped into the city hall yesterday afternoon when security guards at the entrance failed to recognize him.

Calixto and dozens of his supporters left three hours later when they were told by the police to leave the premises.

Tension once again gripped the city hall when Calixto’s presence was discovered and security guards rushed to keep order.

Mayor Allan Panaligan said that because of the incident, tight security measures will again be observed at the city hall. "We need to secure the City Hall once more. It is clear that the former vice mayor and a number of his supporters were able to gain entrance though they themselves know that they are not assisted by the proper agencies."

Calixto together with dismissed Councilor Noel Bayona and few of their supporters successfully slipped inside at around 1:30 p.m. without being recognized by security guards. A city hall employee explained later that the guards were new and that they just let Calixto’s group in without any questions. They did not even have metal detectors with them.

"I am thankful that no untoward incident took place while they were inside. He (Calixto) already had himself and his situation subjected to legal procedures, why is he doing this now?" Panaligan lamented.

Meanwhile, lawyer Margarito Gervacio, legal consultant of the city’s Public Accountability Office, said that even if Calixto is able to get inside the city hall, nothing will change.

"He will not become vice mayor. The temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals, is still subject to clarification," said Gervacio, a former deputy ombudsman.

Vice Mayor Arvin Tolentino said he was out on a meeting when he learned that Calixto managed to slip in. He claimed there were supporters of Calixto who were able to bring in guns with them and two of his staff were threatened.

Calixto, for his part, said he only wanted to get his job back and he had authority because of the TRO on his suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman for graft.

He said he was only following court orders given the TRO and that he might be charged with dereliction of duty if he didn’t reassume office.

The Court of Appeals recently issued a TRO on Calixto’s suspension but the Department of Interior and Local Government filed a manifestation before the Court of Appeals 10th Division requesting a clarification.

Calixto and his supporters left the building around 4:30 p.m. after Pasay police chief Senior Superintendent Marietto Valerio handed him an order signed by Southern Police District Director chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales directing Calixto to leave the premises.

Rosales said "if there is no implementing order from the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, he (Calixto) must be barred from entering the office to assume his former position."

Despite that, Calixto gave word that he will return.

Calixto, Trinidad and eight councilors were placed on a six-month preventive suspension starting Sept. 1 last year for allegedly approving a P464.6-million worth of illegal garbage collection and disposal contracts in 2004 to 2005.

The Ombudsman later ordered the 10 officials dismissed, and installed councilors Panaligan and Tolentino as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.