Bulacan dads’ political bond cracks

DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD (DRT), Bulacan—this town continues to have two mayors, which may have eroded their political alliance.

Vice Mayor Jayvie C. Manalo assumed the mayoral seat, taking his oath of office on Feb. 17 before Bulacan Executive Judge Renato Francisco, after the Bulacan Provincial Board suspended Mayor Rolando T. Flores.

But Flores has stayed at his post, and has maintained his official duties while he appeals his suspension for alleged conflict of interest and abuse of authority regarding illicit mining operations in the municipality, Manalo said.

Manalo said he has not confronted the mayor yet owing to their political bond.

Running mates

He won as Flores’ running mate under the Liberal Party-del Pilar Party alliance during the 2010 polls.

However, Flores’ continued stay at the town hall has caused division and confusion in the town, Manalo claimed. “He still signs documents, including the town hall’s pay roll,” he said.

Reached by the INQUIRER, Flores admitted that his political ties with Manalo has been severed, although he described their official relationship as “civil.”

“The 2013 elections is still in the future, so we are both busy serving the public. We remain civil. Much like a married couple that separated because we each have different outlooks about life,” he said.

“We have no enmity. Our political paths have deviated but this should not be perceived as personal differences),” the suspended mayor said.

Flores said he decided to stay at work because he appealed to the provincial board to reconsider his suspension.

Conflict of interest

The provincial board voted to suspend Flores for six months on Jan. 31, after affirming charges of conflict of interest and abuse of authority, and for committing grounds for disciplinary action in violation of Section 60 of Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160) and Section 7 of Republic Act No. 6317 (the law prescribing ethical standards for public officials).

Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-alvarado signed the suspension order on Feb. 15.

On Feb. 20, Flores formally asked the board to review its decision.

Flores said he may consider elevating his case before Malacañang. But until his legal remedies are exhausted, Flores insists, “Ako pa rin ang mayor (I am still the mayor).”

Vice Governor Daniel Fernando acknowledged receiving Flo- res” appeal.

“We received his appeal but the board will no longer deliberate on it because we already made our decision. The resolution was passed and it must be implemented,” he said.

Jeffrey Cruz, the Bulacan legal officer, said the suspension against Flores was duly executed, and the provincial government informed all institutions transacting with the government, including banks, about Flores” status.

Complaint

Asked about reports that Flores continues to sign financial documents on behalf of the municipal government, Cruz said: “That would be difficult for him. He could be accused and charged [for] malversation of funds. The municipal treasurer’s office of DRT [had] also provided a copy of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan suspension order against him.”

Flores’ suspension was the result of a complaint filed by DRT resident Roberto Sembrano in November last year, who implicated the mayor in illegal mining at Barangay Camachin because his family’s trucking firm had allegedly been used to haul out iron ore extracted by a mining firm here.

The mayor had denied

this.