CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Thousands of supporters of Mayor Vicente Emano celebrated a victory party Friday night after a week of camping out at the city hall grounds.
The suspension order issued against Emano by Malacañang was not served following the reported intervention of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Emano’s lawyer, Francis Khu, thanked the people who flocked to the city hall for their support.
Among those who expressed their support for Emano were officials of the Padayon Pilipino party, including Misamis Oriental second district Rep. Yevgeny Bambi Emano, Cagayan de Oro City first district Rep. Benjo Benaldo, Tagoloan Mayor Paulino Emano, Opol Mayor Dexter Yasay, Talisayan Vice Mayor Rommel Maslog, Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas and Councilors Nadya Emano-Elipe, Ramon Tabor, Prexy Elipe, Annie Daba, Ian Mark Nacaya, Pepe Abbu, Adrian Barba, Alden Bacal and Juan Sia.
“The verdict of the people is not guilty,†Khu told the crowd who had kept vigil at the city hall compound.
The mayor is facing administrative charges for gross negligence and dereliction of duty filed by an environmental group for the deaths and damage in Cagayan de Oro during typhoon Sendong.