CDO mayor urged to answer complaint regarding Sendong deaths
A Malacañang official on Thursday urged Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano to submit a reply on the complaint filed against him by private citizens in connection with the death of hundreds of his constituents when tropical storm Sendong hit the city last year.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, on Jan. 18, issued a notice to Emano asking his explanation regarding the gross negligence and dereliction of duty complaint filed against him.
The deadline was Feb. 2, but Emano has yet to send his reply.
Valte said the Office of the President has jurisdiction over city mayors and governors regarding administrative complaints.
She said Emano should submit himself to the proceeding as it is the best forum for him to defend himself against the accusations.
“If he does not file a verified answer within the time period that he is given, then that constitutes a waiver of his participation in the proceedings,” said Valte.
She added that the mayor can still ask for an extension of the time to answer.
Valte did not provide a copy of the complaint filed against Emano, but said it was premised on acts of the respondent in connection with the habitation of Isla de Oro, which was certified as a danger zone by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Cagayan de Oro City was among the areas hit hardest by Sendong, which brought floods that devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas.
The death toll from Sendong stood at 1,268, making it the deadliest cyclone to hit the Philippines in the last 12 years.
Valte said the inter-agency task force created by President Benigno Aquino III continues to work toward identifying remedial measures and responses to the issues raised in the wake of the devastation brought about by Sendong.
The agency was also tasked to identify the accountabilities of officials in the affected areas.
“It is expected to finish its work within the three-month deadline imposed by President Aquino, which falls in March,” Valte said. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, on Jan. 18, issued a notice to Emano asking his explanation regarding the gross negligence and dereliction of duty complaint filed against him.
The deadline was Feb. 2, but Emano has yet to send his reply.
Valte said the Office of the President has jurisdiction over city mayors and governors regarding administrative complaints.
She said Emano should submit himself to the proceeding as it is the best forum for him to defend himself against the accusations.
“If he does not file a verified answer within the time period that he is given, then that constitutes a waiver of his participation in the proceedings,” said Valte.
She added that the mayor can still ask for an extension of the time to answer.
Valte did not provide a copy of the complaint filed against Emano, but said it was premised on acts of the respondent in connection with the habitation of Isla de Oro, which was certified as a danger zone by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Cagayan de Oro City was among the areas hit hardest by Sendong, which brought floods that devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas.
The death toll from Sendong stood at 1,268, making it the deadliest cyclone to hit the Philippines in the last 12 years.
Valte said the inter-agency task force created by President Benigno Aquino III continues to work toward identifying remedial measures and responses to the issues raised in the wake of the devastation brought about by Sendong.
The agency was also tasked to identify the accountabilities of officials in the affected areas.
“It is expected to finish its work within the three-month deadline imposed by President Aquino, which falls in March,” Valte said. — Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News
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