MAGALANG, Pampanga – Mayor Lyndon Cunanan and his supporters yesterday holed themselves up at the municipal hall amid threats of his political rival, businessman Romy Pecson, to take over his post by virtue of a writ of execution issued by the regional trial court on May 12.
Cunanan reported for work early yesterday morning and reportedly ordered the padlocking of the main doors leading to the mayor’s office just as Pecson arrived at the municipal hall.
Pecson vowed to stay at the office of Vice Mayor Norman Lacson until “the proper authorities was able to serve” the writ of execution issued by Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida Buan on May 12.
In the six-page decision, Buan ordered the assistance of the police and concerned government agencies in “enforcement/implementation of the alias writ of execution pending appeal issued by the court.”
Pecson, looking relax and dressed in barong tagalong, said “this time I will sit as mayor because I have all the necessary papers.”
Pecson, who was at the building beside the office of the mayor, urged Cunanan to leave his post peacefully to prevent untoward incident.
He gave Punto a copy of the letter of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Acting Secretary Austere Panadero dated May 11 asking regional director Rene Brion install him (Pecson) as mayor.
“Accordingly, since the said Supreme Court En Banc Decision and resolution has the effect of reviving the writ of execution earlier issued by the RTC of Angeles City, Branch 56, installing Mr. Pecson as mayor of Magalang, Pampanga, your is hereby directed to accord due recognition, in compliance with the afforested SC en banc decision and resolution, to Mr. Romulo Pecson’s incumbency as mayor of Magalang,” said Panadero’s letter.
But Cunanan, in a phone interview, said his lawyers had just filed a motion to quash the writ of execution issued by Buan. He added that “there was illegal procedure in the issuance of the writ of execution.”
Cunanan said Pecson “had received advance copies of the writ of execution.”
“Mr. Pecson wants us to leave my office when he is merely holding a xerox copy of the writ of execution,” said Cunanan, who was with Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Rodolfo Gonzales at the mayor’s office. “Proper procedures should be followed.”
Pampanga DILG head Ofelio Tactac was able to join Cunanan at his office at the second floor of the main municipal building. But he was not able to re-enter the building after going out to speak with lawyers of Pecson.
He said Brion was in the position to speak for the DILG regarding the case of the two mayors.
AS of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, Brion has yet to arrive at the municipal hall.
Almost at the same month last year, tensions gripped this town when Pecson took over as mayor. Cunanan also holed himself up until the DILG officials convinced him to step down after locking himself up at his office for a few days.
Cunanan reported for work early yesterday morning and reportedly ordered the padlocking of the main doors leading to the mayor’s office just as Pecson arrived at the municipal hall.
Pecson vowed to stay at the office of Vice Mayor Norman Lacson until “the proper authorities was able to serve” the writ of execution issued by Branch 56 Judge Irin Zenaida Buan on May 12.
In the six-page decision, Buan ordered the assistance of the police and concerned government agencies in “enforcement/implementation of the alias writ of execution pending appeal issued by the court.”
Pecson, looking relax and dressed in barong tagalong, said “this time I will sit as mayor because I have all the necessary papers.”
Pecson, who was at the building beside the office of the mayor, urged Cunanan to leave his post peacefully to prevent untoward incident.
He gave Punto a copy of the letter of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Acting Secretary Austere Panadero dated May 11 asking regional director Rene Brion install him (Pecson) as mayor.
“Accordingly, since the said Supreme Court En Banc Decision and resolution has the effect of reviving the writ of execution earlier issued by the RTC of Angeles City, Branch 56, installing Mr. Pecson as mayor of Magalang, Pampanga, your is hereby directed to accord due recognition, in compliance with the afforested SC en banc decision and resolution, to Mr. Romulo Pecson’s incumbency as mayor of Magalang,” said Panadero’s letter.
But Cunanan, in a phone interview, said his lawyers had just filed a motion to quash the writ of execution issued by Buan. He added that “there was illegal procedure in the issuance of the writ of execution.”
Cunanan said Pecson “had received advance copies of the writ of execution.”
“Mr. Pecson wants us to leave my office when he is merely holding a xerox copy of the writ of execution,” said Cunanan, who was with Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Rodolfo Gonzales at the mayor’s office. “Proper procedures should be followed.”
Pampanga DILG head Ofelio Tactac was able to join Cunanan at his office at the second floor of the main municipal building. But he was not able to re-enter the building after going out to speak with lawyers of Pecson.
He said Brion was in the position to speak for the DILG regarding the case of the two mayors.
AS of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, Brion has yet to arrive at the municipal hall.
Almost at the same month last year, tensions gripped this town when Pecson took over as mayor. Cunanan also holed himself up until the DILG officials convinced him to step down after locking himself up at his office for a few days.
