Petition for recall election vs Butuan mayor mulled

BUTUAN CITY — It started with a "word war" between Bombo Radyo against Butuan City officials with support from other radio stations, then into filing of libel suits and now, after failing to secure business permits to operate, Bombo Radyo station manager Norbert Pagaspas plan to file "recall election" petition.

Pagaspas, in his radio program "Bombohanay Bigtime" yesterday morning, said he and his Bombo die-hard fans might initiate the gathering of some 32,000 signatures from more than 100,00 registered Butuan voters for a "petition for recall election" against Butuan City officials headed by Mayor Daisy Plaza.

Pagaspas said, he already had some 4,000 signatures of city residents who have signified their full support to the station after city officials allegedly threatened to close the radio station after it failed to secure a business permit this year.

Bombo Radyo’s signature campaign will end on July 1, Pagaspas said to coincide with the first year in office of Butuan City officials.

DXBR Bombo Radyo Butuan claims some 20,000 membership of its Bombo Die-Hard Fans mostly Butuan City residents and said its membership is increasing each day.

Pagaspas alleged that the Butuan City government failed to give them a business permit after Mayor Plaza vowed for the closure of the radio station that was critical to her administration.

City officials claimed Pagaspas’ allegations were only coming from the radioman’s "fertile imagination and halluciations."

City officials claimed business permits are only given to business establishments that have complied with the legal requirements as provided by law and the city ordinance.

But Bombo Radyo Butuan questioned why stiff requirements were being imposed on them only after they became critical of city officials.

The City Council headed by Butuan City Vice Mayor Angelo Calo has passed a resolution in support of Mayor Plaza.

City officials claimed Bombo Radyo’s almost daily tirade on the air is becoming too personal and people have already raised complaints of the station’s use of "foul languages" saying the city airwaves have become a virtual "garbage" of "foul words."