Another defeated mayor strips office of fixtures

Another mayor's office, this time in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, was almost completely stripped of furniture and fixtures by its former occupant.

According to a report by Cesar Apolinario in GMA's 24 Oras on Wednesday, Mayor Gomer Sabio was forced to temporarily hold his office in another room, which was supposedly reserved for the Human Resource Management team.

"Pagpasok namin sa mayor's ofice kung saan ako mag-oopisina, nagtaka ako dahil halos wala nang gamit, walang upuan, walang table," Sabio said.

Only four chairs, a cabinet, and a cooler were found inside the office.

Former mayor Heckert Hernando June Emano allegedly had the fixtures removed.

The local government already started the renovation of the mayor's office.

"Nagpa-purchase ako ng mga table para sa mayor's staff at kung kailangang magdagdag, at lamesa ko doon sa mayor's office at mayroong upuan. Magre-request din ako ng lamesa para sa dining," Sabio said.

The new mayor said he will not file a complaint against his political rival but he wants to find out whether the missing fixtures belonged to Emano or not.

"Hindi ko rin alam kung personal niyang gamit 'yun. Kung personal niyang gamit 'yun, may karapatan na kunin niya," he added.

GMA News is trying to reach Emano for comment.

The same scenario welcomed new Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella after his predecessor stripped his office bare from the ceiling down to the floor. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News