DILG rules status quo in Baguio mayoral row

BAGUIO CITY — Finally, the confusion triggered by Malacañang’s one-year suspension of Mayor Braulio Yaranon is over.

This, as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ruled status quo in the mayoral controversy which city officials earlier said "presents legal implications that may jeopardize our positions and decisions."

In a memorandum to the DILG-Cordillera office, Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar said as per Malacañang’s instruction, the status quo should be observed pending the resolution of Yaranon’s motion for reconsideration.

Andanar’s memorandum elated Yaranon, who has insisted that Malacañang’s June 26 resolution is not yet final and executory.

"We are happy, of course, that everything turned out in accordance with the law," he said.

Malacañang, acting on the complaint of Jadewell, a private pay parking company here, suspended Yaranon for a year due to alleged abuse of authority and oppression.

Yaranon subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration, arguing that "roads are beyond the commerce of man" and that the five-year-old contract between the city government and Jadewell had to be junked.

In a separate opinion, however, Emeterio Moreno Jr., DILG Legal Service Division director III, said a motion for reconsideration "shall not stay the execution of a decision."

Moreno cited Section 3, Rule 10 of Administrative Order 23 issued by the Office of the President.

Last Monday, city executives sought a prompt resolution to the mayoral mess resulting from the swearing-in of Vice Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. as "acting mayor."

In a manifesto, they said the impasse, if left unresolved, "will cause serious implications on government transactions and hence will affect the delivery of basic services."

Like a forgiving father, the 78-year-old Yaranon said he pities the 37-year-old Bautista for getting erroneous advice from his supposed "legal luminaries."

Instead of hitting Bautista, Yaranon issued an administrative order affirming normal operations at City Hall with him as mayor and Bautista as vice mayor.

"We will continue to discharge our official functions," he said.