Orion folk rally vs mayor’s suspension

ORION, Bataan — "Bad politics is hounding our peaceful town."

Thus claimed hundreds of supporters of this town’s beleaguered mayor, Antonio Raymundo, who is now facing two-month suspension for alleged abuse of authority slapped by the provincial board.

Raymundo’s supporters formed a human barricade and staged a peaceful vigil in front of the municipal hall the other day, purportedly to prevent his arch-political rival, Bataan Gov. Leonardo Roman, in serving the suspension order embodied in a resolution voted unanimously by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

This, as the Balanga City Regional Trial Court dismissed Raymundo’s petition for a TRO that day, thus paving the way for the implementation of his 60-day suspension.

Roman approved the suspension order upon the recommendation of the provincial board, headed by Vice Gov. Rogelio Roque, saying Raymundo might influence witnesses in his pending administrative case.

Farmer Alex Cortez, 76, of Barangay Sto. Domingo, told The STAR that they would thwart the suspension of Raymundo who, he said, has brought progress to this mainly agricultural town.

Raymundo’s followers said his political rivals should have just waited for next year’s elections instead of harassing their mayor.

They challenged Roman to call for special elections here to know the real sentiments of the townsfolk.

Raymundo’s suspension stemmed from the administrative case of usurpation and abuse of authority, which Barangay Capunitan chairman Rolando Hatol filed with the provincial board after Raymundo issued a memorandum last Jan. 27, ordering him to vacate a day-care center.

In issuing the order, Raymundo said the newly constructed day-care center was built to serve children in the community but that Hatol illegally occupied it through a barangay resolution without the concurrence of the municipal council.

"Parents in the community are complaining about the illegal takeover of the day-care center, converting it into the new barangay hall. I have all the reasons to issue the memorandum to safeguard the needs of my constituents," Raymundo said.

Hatol reportedly even tried to secure a temporary restraining order from the court against Raymundo’s order, but failed.

Raymundo had ordered him to vacate the day-care center and return it for the use of the municipal social welfare and development office.

Raymundo also filed an administrative complaint against the town’s vice mayor, Rolando Banzon, for negligence and abuse of authority for his alleged failure to act against the barangay resolution allowing the transfer of the barangay hall to the disputed day-care center. — With Raffy Viray