New Ecija mayor not seeking revenge

By Manny Galvez 

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – Newly installed Mayor Ruben Huerta of this town vowed to pursue good governance and transparency.

Shortly after assuming the post from ousted Mayor LucioUera March 19, Huerta said he would not seek revenge.

“A fair and equitable distribution of justice and resources will be the blueprint of my crusade against corruption,” Huerta said.

Huerta, who was Uera’s running mate in the 2013 elections, was installed as mayor by the Department of the Interior and Local Government five months after Ombudsman ConchitaCarpio-Morales dismissed Uera for grave misconduct and abuse of authority.

Uera’s ouster stemmed from the illegal suspension and termination of 40 municipal hall employees nine years ago.

Uera claimed he was merely exercising his supervision power over the employees, whom he claimed refused to report for work.

Aside from Huerta, the DILG also installed Uera’s nephew, first Councilor Vincent Uera as vice mayor.

Huerta said he knew the municipal government is beset with financial problems.

He said Uera’s predecessor, former mayor Romeo Borja Sr., left a P250-million debt. Of the amount, only P80 million was paid under Uera’s term.

The new mayor said he would promote tourism development and would bank on the town’s natural beauty and climate, which is similar to Baguio City.

DILG provincial director for Nueva Ecija Abraham Pascua  and DILG regional legal officer Myron Cunanan odered  Huerta to March 19

DILG Region 3 director Florida Dijan issued the dismissal order on March 13.

The ombudsman found Uera guilty of two counts of grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority and oppression in a resolution issued on June 10, 2013.

In their complaint, the dismissed employees said they were about to report to work on Jan. 3, 2005 when they were barred entry into the municipal hall by Uera’s alleged “goons.”

They claimed their daily time records and personal belongings were confiscated.

Because they could not report to the municipal hall, the employees said they went to the Sangguniang Bayan building where Uera’s rival, Romeo Borja Sr., who was proclaimed winner in an electoral protest in connection with the 2004 polls, was holding office.

Three weeks later, the complainants said Uera – who was reinstated by the Commission on Elections – ordered them to explain why they should not be charged for their unauthorized absences.

The complainants said Uera also ordered their 60-day preventive suspension without conducting an investigation.