90-day Cuerpo suspension order revoked

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang revoked yesterday the 90-day suspension order issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government against Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Pedro Cuerpo.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita directed the DILG to hold in abeyance the said suspension order until the second motion for reconsideration filed by Cuerpo before the Sandiganbayan has been resolved.

In a statement, Cuerpo said he felt “vindicated”, and that the order issued by the Office of the President is proof that the initial order of the DILG implementing the preventive suspension was pure political harassment.

“The aim of my political enemies is to cut me off from my duties, and to ruin my reputation. This style of black propaganda should not be allowed, and I know that the people are intelligent enough to realize that they should not believe such obvious attempts to discredit my integrity as a public servant,” said Cuerpo.

Ermita’s directive reached the DILG on Monday, a copy of which was forwarded to Cuerpo yesterday morning.

Upon receipt of Ermita’s order, Cuerpo left his office where he was holed up since the DILG issued him his suspension order Monday last week.

“I left my office and I’m now having a good rest in my house,” said Cuerpo in an interview.

Acting Rodriguez Mayor Jonas Cruz claimed that documents circulated by Cuerpo’s camp showing that Malacañang revoked his suspension order were all photo copies.

“If the Palace opted to intervene with local issues, then we will abide by the order,” said Cruz.

Local civic groups, such as the Montalban Ladies Association, the Montalban Youth Foundation and the Rizal Youth Leaders Alliance applauded Ermita’s order.

In a joint statement, said groups stated that they “fully support the mayor in these trying times, and that the order revoking the suspension is a welcome development, signaling an end to another round of traditional mudslinging aimed at Mayor Cuerpo.”

“This battle has been won, and though I’m hopeful that this is the last of these series of acts of harassment aimed against me, I know that I should be ready for more since my political enemies will not back down even against a setback such as this,” said Cuerpo, noting that, “What I just want to state is that I will not let such threats scare me, or distract me from my duties. Even during the period of my suspension, I continued discharging the duties my constituents has asked me to perform. More so now, notwithstanding the obstacles that will get in my way.”