‘I’m still the Cavite gov’

TRECE MARTIRES CITY — "I’m still the governor of Cavite."

Thus insisted Gov. Ireneo "Ayong" Maliksi," saying he would remain in his post unless he gets a suspension order from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Last Tuesday, tension erupted at the provincial Capitol here after the Court of Appeals’ first division lifted the preliminary injunction against his earlier suspension upon orders of the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged grave misconduct.

Maliksi’s suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Vice Gov. Jonvic Remulla against him in July last year over an allegedly anomalous purchase of P7.5 million worth of rice.

The other day, Maliksi called for an emergency meeting with all department heads to announce that he is still the governor. — Arnell Ozaeta