ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija – Tension gripped this municipality as Mayor David Angelo Vargas was slapped with six–month suspension by the sangguniang panlalawigan for reportedly enforcing ordinances involving the release of P1.2 million in senior citizens’ pension which the board invalidated in 2019.
In an order dated Oct. 12, 2020 and served Wednesday, the provincial board found Vargas “guilty” of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service, simple misconduct and violation of Republic Act 7160 for implementing Ordinance No. 08 series of 2019.
Ordinance No. 08 pertains to the P210-million 2020 municipal budget while another ordinance provides for a P1.2-million pension for senior citizens.
The board said Vargas enforced such measures “despite the fact that he has knowledge that those two ordinances were declared null and void by this body.”
Reports said the suspension order, served by officials from the provincial legal office, was received by Vargas before 11 a.m. and Vice Mayor Erwin Javaluyas assumed the mayorship past 3 p.m.
Vargas’ camp said the mayor has secured a temporary restraining order and a “certification” from Malacañang.
Javaluyas, for his part, said he was willing to step down anytime a legal order comes.
He stressed though that he was never a party to the cases against Vargas as these were filed by private senior citizens who were allegedly excluded from the pension program
Vargas and Javaluyas are political rivals.
Their supporters are at the municipal hall as of press time.
