Antibudget execs hit by shame campaign in Vizcaya

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Provincial officials have found themselves in the middle of a firestorm here, reaping blame for filing a suit that has caused a shutdown of government operations this week.

They blamed Rep. Carlos Padilla and his political supporters in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, who petitioned the court here to void the province’s 2012 budget ordinance.

On Monday, provincial government operations stopped to comply with a 20-day temporary restraining order issued by Judge Rogelio Corpuz, who addressed a petition filed by nine board members seeking to nullify the budget ordinance. The petitioners claimed that the budget law was not approved by the majority members.

In social media sites like Facebook, netizens lambasted the petitioners.

“We fervently plead to Congressman Padilla for him to spare the province from his premature strategy of manipulating its affairs to further his political interests,” read a text message.