Pantabangan town power struggle on

By Sheen Crisologo

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija — The Department Interior of the Local Government (DILG) has ended the year-long power struggle in this municipality by officially recognizing Mayor Ruben Huerta as the legitimate mayor in compliance with the Office of Ombudsman’s (OMB’s) move to perpetually disqualify Mayor Lucio Uera from the post due to grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and oppression. However, Uera, together with his family members and supporters, continues to occupy the mayor’s office with no action from local police chief, Senior Inspector Erwin Ferry.

Some 70 municipal employees appealed to Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali to pacify the two camps and help resolve the crisis which has resulted in the suspension of their salaries and stop in public services at the municipal hall.