Zubiri dares Aquino to condemn defiant Imus mayor

Mayor Manny Maliksi of Imus, Cavite (C) with Radyo Inquirer 990AM anchors Denn Macaranas (R) and Louie Garcia in an interview. FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Now that it’s his Liberal Party ally Emmanuel Maliksi who is refusing to vacate the Imus mayoral seat despite a court order, what can President Aquino say about it?

Senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri of the United Nationalist Alliance on Tuesday challenged Mr. Aquino to condemn Maliksi’s defiance of the Supreme Court ruling stating that his rival Homer Saquilayan was the rightful mayor of the Cavit City of Imus.

Zubiri noted that the President had condemned Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia for refusing to leave office despite a suspension order against her, and even indicated that she was being “kapit-tuko” or clinging to her office. Garcia is an UNA ally.

“I dare him to say the same thing to the Mayor of Imus City who was ousted by the Supreme Court. Will he also say the same to his party mate, that he’s kapit tuko and should leave?” Zubiri told reporters.

He said the President should treat officials equally.

“What is sauce for the [goose is] sauce for the gander,” he added.

The Supreme Court last week issued a decision declaring Saquilayan the duly elected mayor of Imus in the 2010 elections. Subsequently, the Commission on Elections ordered Maliksi to vacate his post and give way to Saquilayan.

Maliksi had contended that the directive for him to leave the mayoral post was irregular since the order should have come from the regional trial court and served by the Department of Interior and Local Government. He had also said he had filed a motion for reconsideration at the Supreme Court, and this should be resolved first.