Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Refuses to Step Down

Cagayan De Oro City (PNA) –- Ousted City Mayor Oscar Moreno refused to step down from his office until the Court of Appeals (CA) ruled on his application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

In a press conference Friday morning, Moreno said that his case remains an “unfinished business” and insist that he still remains the mayor of Cagayan De Oro City.

Moreno emphasized that his lawyers are still pursuing to obtain a TRO with the CA here after three justices inhibited themselves from hearing the case Thursday afternoon.

Moreno hoped that he could get a TRO Friday and that justice be rendered in his favor.

“I hope that the CA would decide on our case because there is a bigger issue here, and that is justice, which was denied to me,” the dismissed mayor said.

Moreno, who holed up inside his office at the old City Hall building Thursday night, admitted that he has a “long sleepless night” following his ouster.

Moreno, however, said that he would be willing to step down peacefully, if the “rule of law” says that he should step down.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) served the order dismissing Moreno and installing Vice Mayor Ian Acenas as the new City Mayor of Cagayan De Oro City Thursday night.

Moreno, without giving details, questioned the way the DILG served the “dismissal order” saying that the DILG failed to observe some legal processes when the order was served Thursday evening.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has approved the dismissal of Moreno on Oct. 6, 2015 with Grave Misconduct for entering into a settlement agreement with Ajinomoto Philippines without prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panlungsod in violation of R.A. No. 7160 (The Local Government Code).

The order of dismissal also penalized Moreno and City Treasurer Glenn Banez with perpetual disqualification to hold public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits. (PNA) JMC/CD