Mayor Durano eyes recall of Danao vice mayor, dads

Another recall petition will be filed next week with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Danao City.

City Attorney Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu told reporters she will finalize a recall petition against Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and the city’s councilors on behalf ofMayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr.

Dalawampu said they will cite as ground instances of  graft and corruption specifically Nito’s alleged usurpation his brother Boy’s functions.

Dalawampu said Nito signed checks and disbursement vouchers on behalf of the mayor without his knowledge.

Dalawampu said they already gathered the signatures of 35,000 Danao City voters who support their recall move.

The feud between  the mayor and vice mayor has reached the Regional State Prosecutor.

The mayor filed complaints of usurpation of official functions against Nito before Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane.

Boy filed 111 counts of  usurpation  of official functions against Nito for allegedly issuing disbursement vouchers and another 91 counts for the issuance of several checks.

On July 5, 2010, Boy issued memorandum number 10-363 granting Nito “authority to sign official documents for the operation of the city government in the absence of the city mayor.”

The order took effect on July 6, 2010, and is valid until revoked.

However, the mayor alleged that even when he was around, Nito approved 111 disbursement vouchers amounting to more than P6.2 million covering the period between July 16, 2010, and Sept. 28, 2010.

Last Monday, Vice Mayor Nito and the City Council  filed a recall petition against Mayor Boy citing loss of confidence in him.

The petitioners cited among the mayor’s violations his directive threatening the council with criminal and administrative sanctions for not approving his proposed budget for calendar year 2011.

The council said the budget doesn’t reflect the city government’s program and there were no consultations done with the budget committee.

They also complained about the failure to deliver financial and material assistance to some barangays.

The council cited the waterworks project in barangay Mantija, which was ordered closed by the mayor.

The council said the screening and hiring of employees was done at the mayor’s house in Mabini Street, barangay Poblacion, in Danao City.

Among the appointments the council questioned were lawyer Dalawampu as City Legal Officer.