Palace halts Orion mayor’s suspension

ORION, Bataan — This town’s beleaguered town has found a powerful ally in Mala—cañang which prevented his two-month suspension by the provincial board.

In documents obtained by The STAR, acting Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Manuel Gaite put on hold for 20 days the enforcement of the provincial board’s resolution suspending Mayor Antonio Raymundo Jr.

The order enjoined Gov. Leonardo Roman from implementing the suspension order unless otherwise directed by Malacañang.

Gaite also directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that all those concerned comply with the Palace directive.

Gaite gave Roman an "unextendible period of five days" to comment on Raymundo’s petition or else the Office of the President will resolve the case based on the mayor’s pleadings.

Raymundo filed a "very urgent petition" with Malacañang to set aside the provincial board’s preventive suspension order against him.

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

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

Meanwhile, Raymundo has filed an administrative complaint against Vice Mayor Rolando Banzon for gross negligence and abuse of authority for his alleged failure to act on the controversial barangay resolution.