MANILA, Philippines - Political harassment.
This was how Mayor Pedro Cuerpo of Rodriguez town described the latest suspension meted against him by the Rizal provincial government.
“My suspension is nothing but harassment done by a group of politicians who are scared of the change I represent,” said Cuerpo of his fifth suspension order by the Rizal provincial government in a span of two years.
Cuerpo is vocal about his plan to challenge incumbent Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III in next year’s gubernatorial race.
“This is the worst form of politicking, when the leaders you expect would protect the interests of their constituents would themselves do acts that are clearly contrary to their obligations and responsibilities,” he said.
“They seem intent on destroying everything the people of Montalban and I have worked so hard for,” he added.
Cuerpo expressed apprehension that the progress he is pushing for his municipality, without any help from the provincial government, “would be for nothing if these people continue.”
In his letter to the Office of the President, Cuerpo said the provincial government wanted him suspended because he blamed them for an explosion at a sanitary landfill recently.
Cuerpo alleged that the landfill, which is under the control of the provincial government and which he has consistently declared unsafe, spilled out thousands of tons of garbage into a nearby river, causing an artificial dam of earth and garbage.
He blamed this for the havoc brought by tropical storm “Ondoy” to Rodriguez town.
“My suspension is just another aspect of this abuse. I say enough is enough. Things need to change in the way the provincial government does its job, and the sooner it happens, the better,” said Cuerpo.