Catbalogan mayor’s suspension in limbo

CATBALOGAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Eastern Visayas said it has yet to receive the suspension order against Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan and 11 other city officials from the Office of the Ombudsman.

DILG - Eastern Visayas information officer Myles Colasito said they will immediately implement the order dated November 26 once they receive it, after the same is reveiwed by the leagl team.

Mayor Tan was ordered suspended for six months, along with Vice Mayor Art Gabon, city councilors Coefredo Uy, Jeffrey Uy, Edward Uy, Christine Escober, Maximo Pescos, Beethoven Bermejo, Nanette Jasmin and other municipal employees for abuse of authority, grave misconduct and gross neglect for the purchase of a parcel of land in Baragay Payao.

The case stemmed from the complaint of city hall employee Bernard Jake Ramos, who alleged that the respondents purchased said land owned by Alvin Cesar Laohoo and Lorenzo Laohoo Jr. for P120.225 million, when it only had a market value of P155,497.84 in 2016.

“Because of our love and commitment (for the city), we stood for the purchase of this lot. I do not regret making that decision despite all the accusations and black propaganda hurled against me because this has given light and hope to the beneficiaries who lost their loved ones during the landslide,” Tan said.

According to her, the biggest evacuation center in the region sits on the contested lot.

Other structures that will be built on the property include a hospital, the Pagasa Center for street children and children in conflict with the law, a community - based rehabilitation center for drug surrenderrers, a two-storey senior citizens’ hall, Bureau of Fire Protection sub-station, Red Cross blood bank, Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School and 6 mid-rise buildings for 300 families, among others. (Marie Tonette Grace Marticio)