Cavite governor clings to power; defies suspension order

Cavite Governor Erineo Maliksi clings on to power, defying suspension order from the office of the Ombudsman. Maliksi on Tuesday insisted he remains the governor despite the suspension order the Court of Appeals (CA) allegedly issued. “Ako pa rin ang gobernador ng Cavite dahil ako ang inihalal ng mamamayan. Malinaw ang mandato ko mula sa mga mamamayan," Maliksi said. The governor refused to acknowledge the order from the CA appointing Vice Governor Johnvic Remulla as acting governor. Maliksi claimed he has not received the CA order, but he said he already instructed his counsels to do legal actions to prevent his suspension. “Ini-evaluate pa ng mga lawyers ko ang dalawang tape kung magmo-motion for reconsideration ba kami o magpepetisyon sa Supreme Court. Binigyan ko na ng authority ang mga abogado ko na gawin kung ano ang tama," Maliksi said. Meanwhile, report said that Remulla has started to disseminate a memorandum order to capitol employees informing them that he is now the acting governor. Maliksi said he would not cooperate with Remulla, whom he accused of using doubletalk. “Ang sinasabi at ipinapakita niya (Remulla) ay pakitang tao lang iyon for media consumption. Gusto kunwari makipagtulungan pero ang katotohanan kabaligtaran. Ayokong makipag-usap sa kanya (ngayon)," the governor said. In August 2005 the Ombudsman issued a suspension order for Maliksi in view of the administrative case filed by Remulla, alleging “ghost purchase" of P7.5 million worth of rice in 2004. –GMANews.TV