Mayor rallies locals on ‘revolution’ vs liga prexy
Maquino
An altogether different “Cry of Santa Barbara” is brewing in this Second District town with no less than its chief executive, Mayor Isabelo Maquino expressing his support and encouraging locals for back-up.
Calling it a “people power,” a “coup d’ etat” and “revolution,” Mayor Maquino said the move was reached by disgruntled village chiefs on the leadership and presidency of Wilfredo “Neneng” Subong.
Subong heads the town’s Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and sits as ex-officio member of the Santa Barbara town council. He has since been singled-out due to his earlier decisions to study and validate multi-million requests made by Mayor Maquino before the town council.
Subong
In an interview with visiting reporters, Maquino confirmed Subong-ouster plans – literally and figuratively speaking- with majority of village chiefs supposedly one in recognizing an interim president.
“They will physically install ABC Vice President Marites Corsino as the new ex-officio member of the town council on next Wednesday’s session… this is going to be a coup d’ etat… a revolution… a people power,” the mayor said while adding that the ABC hierarchy reportedly have totally lost trust and confidence on Subong.
“He needs to abide by the voice of the majority… I respect the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) when they say there has to be due process but iya na ini ka mga pumuluyo reklamo... look at former President Cory Aquino... illegal man to ang people power but it was what the people wanted and she became president,” he added.
Subong’s fall from grace has been linked to at least P20 million in programs and projects pushed by the mayor. Subong with three other councilors voted to bid for more time in understanding the details of the planned multi-million expenditures. Since then, town insiders said, the concerted effort to unseat him – unceremoniously – started.
“What is wrong with asking? What is wrong with asking for some time so we can make sure that the planned appropriations and expenditures are all in order?,” Subong said when reached for comment.
Meantime ouster plot thickens with the Provincial ABC hierarchy and the DILG both maintaining that due process must be observed in any recall moves. To note, no official complaint nor petition for recall were submitted to date.