Iligan mayor suspended for abuse of authority

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia has been suspended for six months for abuse of authority.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa signed the suspension order dated March 2, a copy of which The STAR obtained yesterday.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) filed a complaint for abuse of authority against Regencia last year after he issued a memorandum prohibiting city government department heads from processing job orders and deploying workers without his approval.

The SP said its Internal Rules of Procedures allow committees in the council to adopt a legislative enhancement program for the employment of casual employees.

SP presiding officer Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo said the memorandum paralyzed the operations of the council, including the suspension of transportation services, public and committee hearings, sessions and liaison and janitorial services.

Regencia said he has not received a copy of the suspension order, but his supporters started gathering yesterday to block the road leading to the city hall.