CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 18 Nov) – The Department of Interior and Local Government on Wednesday reinstated dismissed Mayor Oscar Moreno pending the resolution of his administrative case by the Ombudsman.
DILG Undersecretary Aostere Panadero issued the directive last Tuesday night.
DILG-10 Regional Director Nilo Castanares (right) tells reporters on Wednesday (18 Nov 2015) that dismissed Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno is reinstated pending the resolution of his administrative case by the Ombudsman. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo
Moreno won a 60-day reprieve from the Ombudsman order after the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order a day after the DILG installed Vice Mayor Ian Acenas and Councilor Candy Darimbang as acting mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
DILG Regional Director Nilo Castañares said the directive will end the confusion as to who is the city mayor and end a five-day standoff and avert any possible violence at the city hall.
“We cannot have two mayors. Moreno is recognized as mayor. Acenas will stay as vice mayor,” Castañares said.
He said Moreno will stay as mayor until the Ombudsman decides on the motion of reconsideration filed by Moreno.
Castañares urged Acenas and his supporters from the Padayon Party, to comply with the directive and step down as mayor of Cagayan de Oro.
The director said they will hold Acenas and Darimbang liable if they will continue their functions as mayor and vice mayor.
The DILG on Nov. 12 installed Acenas and Darimbang as mayor and vice mayor replacing Moreno following his dismissal by the Ombudsman.
Castañares said Acenas had refused to sign and acknowledge the directive, which was delivered to him on Tuesday night.
“The DILG staff and the police have left a copy in the office of Acenas. We deemed the directive as already delivered,” he said.
Acenas has refused to recognize the TRO from the Court of Appeals saying the issuance was “moot and academic” because they were already installed by the DILG.
