Suspension order served vs mayor in lamppost scam

An official from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday served the six-month suspension order against Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza over the alleged overpricing of decorative lampposts acquired for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in January. About 4 p.m., DILG regional director Rene Borderos arrived from Manila and told reporters he would give Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano until 7 p.m. Tuesday to receive a similar suspension order against him. Ouano, whose supporters had barricaded the city hall premises, had promised to claim the suspension order. He had asked his supporters to go home to avoid any untoward incident. Arriving at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall at 5:10 p.m., Borderos promptly handed out the suspension order against Radaza through city legal officer Vincent Lim. Borderos then subsequently sworn in Vice Mayor Norma Patalinghung. On the other hand, Ouano is set to be replaced by Vice Mayor Amadeo Seno. Both Seno and Patalnghug are running for mayor in their respective areas in May. Seno is challenging Mayor Ouano's sun Thadeo Jovito, while Patalinghug is challenging Mayor Radaza. Radaza and Ouano are among the 19 local officials in Cebu province ordered suspended by the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged overpricing of lampposts. - GMANews.TV