Ecija mayor, vice mayor face recall

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines  – A recall petition has been filed against the mayor, vice mayor and two councilors here.

Sought to be recalled, in an 11-page petition filed before acting Commission on Elections (Comelec) election officer Belen Rivera, were Mayor Christian Tinio, Vice Mayor Rodel Matias and Councilors Marcelino Alvarez and Eliser Padiernos.

Romeo Natividad, brother of former three-term mayor Ernesto Natividad, whose wife Baby lost to Tinio in the 2010 elections, and Reynaldo Gutierrez of Ramos street in Barangay San Nicolas, filed the petition.

The petitioners cited loss of trust and confidence and alleged violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the four officials.

They cited, among others, conflict of interest, entering into disadvantageous contracts and acts of oppression committed by Tinio and his group.

The alleged forced transfer of the vendors at the old public market to a residential subdivision owned by the mayor, as provided in a city council resolution initiated by Matias, Alvarez and Tinio, was among the issues raised against the four.

The petitioners also accused Tinio’s group of pushing for the alleged anomalous procurement of P120 million worth of heavy equipment, and incurring loans worth P230 million for the construction of a wet section in the old market and a commercial center.

The petitioners submitted 20,409 signatures representing 34.5 percent of the voting population.

Meanwhile, Tinio laughed off the recall petition, saying it was a “sham” and an act of desperation on the part of Natividad’s camp.