Leyte town vice mayor suspended as probe for 2017 action is carried out

TACLOBAN CITY –– The vice mayor of Alangalang town in Leyte was slapped with a 60-day preventive suspension by Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, while an investigation is conducted for allegedly closing a cockpit arena when he was still a councilor in 2017.

“After a painstaking perusal of the records of the instant case, review of applicable laws, rules and regulations, and jurisprudence on the matter, respondent Hon. Edwin Jomadiao, municipal vice mayor of Alangalang, is hereby ordered and preventively suspended from office for 60 days effective upon receipt thereof,” said Petilla in an order dated April 14 but which Jomadiao received only on May 4.

The suspension of Jomadiao stemmed from a complaint filed by one of the representatives of Alangalang Complex and Gallera, Inc.

Lowell Marmita claimed that Jomadiao committed grave abuse of authority and oppression after he ordered the closure of the cockpit arena in March 2017.

According to Marmita, only the mayor of the town has the right to issue such a cease-and-desist order, and not Jomadiao, who was then a councilor.

Jomadio said his order to close the cockpit was in line with his functions as the games and amusement committee chairman.

He said the cockpit arena was operating without any mayor’s permit.

LZB