16-Mayor Rodrigo outsmarts authorities and evades suspension order
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SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan, Nov. 13 (PNA)--Beleaguered Mayor
Conrado Rodrigo outsmarted the authorities when he did not show up
at his office up to 3:30 p.m. Friday to receive his suspension order
from the SandiganBayan at his own request
The suspension order was hand-carried by PNP Provincial Director
Joel Goltiao who arrived at Rodrigo's office at the municipal
building at 9:30 a.m. Rodrigo was not around as he had filed his
indefinite leave of absence the day before obviously to evade the
suspension order.
Goltiao was directed by Governor Victor Agbayani to serve the
order Thursday. But prior to this, Rodrigo pleaded to Provincial
Administrator Virgilio Solis that it be served Friday.
Provincial Information Officer Ruel Camba told PNA that Solis
was mad because Rodrigo failed to honor a "gentleman's agreement".
The SandiganBayan slapped a 90-day suspension on Rodrigo in
connection with a graft case filed sometime in 1992. The other
respondents are Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator
Reynaldo Mejica and Alejandro Facundo, municipal treasurer.
Mejica's suspension order was received by one Elsa Gabot. The
suspension order on Facundo was not served because he had long
retired from the service.
Rodrigo, who was believed to be just at the vicinity, called up
at his office and talked to Goltiao. The former agreed to meet the
latter at the mayor's office from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon without
any member of the media.
His request was granted but just the same, he did not show up.
Nevertheless, as an agent of a person in authority (the Pangasinan
Governor), Goltiao patiently waited.
At past 2:00 p.m.. Goltiao already became impatient. He then
decided to leave the order for Rodrigo's suspension to one Ms. Malou
Fortez, the community affairs assistant of Rodrigo who was reluctant
to receive it.
Just the same, Goltiao left the order with Fortez who did not
sign any acknowledgment receipt. The PNP provincial director left
Rodrigo's office at about 3:30 p.m.
In refusing to receive the suspension order, Fortez showed a
memorandum of Rodrigo to all employes enjoining them not to receive
on his behalf all registered mails and or communications hand-carried
by anybody.
Goltiao said this is of no problem because he will execute an
affidavit to be presented to Governor Agbayani that Fortez, the
highest ranking official at that time in Rodrigo's office, received
from him the suspension order.
Only, the latter did not sign the acknowledgment receipt for
fear of getting the wrath of Rodrigo.
Goltiao said that as far as he is concerned, the suspension
order was already deemed served even without Ms. Fortez signing the
acknowledgment receipt. He added there were too many persons who can
testify that the order had been served.
As a result of Rodrigo's defiance, the assumption of Vice Mayor
Delilah Caser as acting mayor on Monday may not be smooth. Tension is
expected as Rodrigo's followers may prevent Caser from assuming as
acting mayor.
With the backing of Rodrigo, a petition for recall of Caser and
Councilors Ruben Rodrigo, the mayor's cousin; and Leo SerquiÑa was
filed before the Commission on Elections last week.
Obviously, Rodrigo was trying to prevent Caser from assuming the
post of acting mayor if he was suspended.
Reports said he is happier when number one councilor Luis Ditol
becomes acting mayor with his son Jones Rodrigo, being next on the
line, assuming as acting vice mayor.
The police in San Nicolas had been beefed up in anticipation of
possible clash between the followers of Rodrigo and Caser. (PNA)
MB/lam/lvm/rma
PNA 11131235