Confusion in Pagadian City Hall

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines – Some City Hall employees of Pagadian City are still confused over who to follow, after OIC mayors were appointed by missing Mayor Samuel Co, and Vice Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones assumed the post of acting mayor at noon of April 16.

Co earlier appointed his father-in-law and Councilor Baldomero Fernandez, also former city prosecutor, on April 11. Three days after, Co appointed another City Councilor Carlos Madarang. The validity of Madarang’s appointment is being questioned by Pulmones because, he said, a valid appointment requires Co’s personal appearance.

Co has gone into hiding after he was charged with estafa and graft by the National Bureau of Investigation before the justice department in December 2012. He, along with the city treasurer and an employee, were accused of involvement in an alleged P12-billion pyramid scam of the Aman Futures Group.

Aman is a trading firm that duped investors in Mindanao via a “double-your-money” scheme. It has victimized about 15,000 people in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Co, his wife Priscilla Ann, and 10 others had been charged with syndicated estafa on Nov 28, 2012. The Co couple were alleged to have sought investors for the Aman Group, but Co later said he himself was a victim, having invested P5 million. He is now running for Congress in Zamboanga del Sur’s 1st district.

Legal

In a memorandum, Pulmones said, “Pursuant to Section 46, the undersigned officially assumes office as acting city mayor Pagadian effectively immediately. In compliance with the said mandate, all documents, financial vouchers, reports, communications and other concerns from your end should be addressed now to the undersigned.”

After Co’s continued failure to show up at his office, Pulmones assumed the post of acting mayor at noon of Tuesday, April 16. His basis for staking his claim on the city’s top post is Section 46 of the Local Government Code.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Regional Director Pedro Cuevas had earlier said the action of Pulmones to take over was perfectly legal. 

Pulmones is temporarily holding office at the Sangguniang Panlungsod to avoid possible clashes between his supporters and the supporters of Co. 

This move of Pulmones agitated some supporters and allies of Co from the LP-NP coalition, who gathered in the grounds of City Hall.

Pulmones, who is now seeking the mayoral post under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, is up against Co’s wife, who is with the LP-NP coalition.

Despite the confusion, City Hall heads of offices assured the community there would be no interruption of services.

Barricade

For about 10 days now, supporters of Co have been barricading the grounds of the City Hall complex and holding nightly demonstrations to show their support for him.

Coming from different parts of Zamboanga del Sur, supporters protested the arrest order against Co, who eluded the arrest warrant issued by the Lanao del Norte RTC Branch 1 penned by Judge Alberto Quinto.

Some of his allies claim that the issuance of the arrest order was politically motivated and instigated by the Cerilles camp. Zamboanga del Sur Gov Antonio Cerilles is being accused by Co of initiating the cases against him to destroy his reputation.

Different tarpaulins showing solidarity messages for Co are hanging around the City Hall complex. But he remains missing to this day. On April 13, Saturday, Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte urged Co to face the charges in court, saying he still had a chance to prove his innocence. – Rappler.com

James Annjo Salomon is a Rappler Mover from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.