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ased on the recommendations by the Ombudsman, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 10 on Monday, September 25, handed a dismissal order against Cagayan de Oro mayor Oscar Moreno, and other city hall officials.

Five counts, or five cases related to graft and corruption, Moreno had to face these legal drama that stemmed from his recent stint as city mayor, and way back when he was governor of Misamis Oriental province.

Like a suspense film, when it was time for the dismissal order to be formally delivered to the recipients, the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) saved the day. And for 60 days, Moreno and other city hall officials have temporarily found relief. Temporary.

This was not the first time, however, that Moreno’s camp resorted to CA’s issuance of TROs so that he and the rest who were charged can function to their roles as public servants. Perhaps this is the “price” he has to pay for taking over the turf from a deeply-rooted political dynasty.

But true to its legal name, that document from CA can provide a temporary breather. After 60 days, Moreno’s team has to renew it, or better yet, work towards resolving the case so that it will no longer haunt them. But knowing how our justice system in a snail-pace, it will take more than 60 days that requires more TROs that need to be issued.

Again, the cases against Moreno are becoming serious by the day, especially so that those who filed these cases tried to associate to the current administration of the president, and make it appear as if the president himself is interested in this whole mess.

But many times the president visited in Cagayan de Oro, and not a single local issue - so far - that he mentioned local issues, let alone Moreno’s cases, this, despite the mayor is still aligned with the Liberal Party.

That can speak volumes, that the national government is not interested with the Ombudsman cases of Moreno (because why there is a need to anyway?). And yet, some camps out there want to spin a narrative to link Malacañang and Moreno’s political struggle.

But beyond these cases and political power struggles, we should look at how Cagayan de Oro as a competitve city and provider of career possibilities. The recent competitive index placed the city on the 10th spot, this is troublesome, as in the previous it landed within the Top 5 nationwide under highly urbanized cities category.

The big slip is a wake-up call and a moment to reflect of how Cagayan de Oro worked to balance its economic agenda, as translated from leadership and governance of its public officials.

(nefluczon@gmail.com)