Cavite gov returns to capitol; charges dismissed

Cavite Governor Irineo "Ayong" Maliksi on Friday reclaimed his post after the Ombudsman dismissed his graft case for "lack of merit" and lifted an earlier suspension order against him. Television reports showed Maliksi, accompanied by staunch administration ally Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza, returning to the provincial capitol amid cheering from hundreds of his supporters who trooped to the capitol grounds in Trece Martires City. The Department of the Interior and Local Government slapped a preventive suspension order on the Cavite governor in August 2005 over P7.5 million in rice purchased by the provincial government. The DILG enforced the suspension only in January this year. "I call upon you today to help me bring back the grand tradition of our historic province, which has been home to many of our heroes. Let us unite and prove that Cavitenos are unwavering in their beliefs," Maliksi said in his speech before the crowd at the provincial capitol. Cavite Vice Governor Jon Vic Remulla, who took over when the suspension against Maliksi was enforced, was not present at the provincial capitol when the governor returned. -GMANews.TV