Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr. contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Makati City Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña was sworn in as the city’s acting mayor Monday morning shortly after the Department of Interior and Local Government served the suspension order against Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2.
Peña, a member of the Liberal Party, was sworn in at the Poblacion Barangay Hall.
He asked suspended Mayor Binay to follow the “will of the people.”
“Sundin po sana natin ang kagustuhan ng taumbayan,” (Let us follow the will of the people) Peña said, directing his appeal to Binay.
BACK STORY: DILG serves suspension order on Junjun Binay
Peña also appealed to the supporters of Binay to go home and cause no trouble.
“Pasensya na po kayo, sana po ang iba sa inyo ay magsi-uwian na. Lalong lalo na po ‘yung mga hindi taga Makati na wala naman pong kinalaman dito,” (I’m sorry but I hope the rest of you go home already, especially those who are not from Makati and who have no business here) Peña said.
The acting mayor added, “Maraming salamat po sa pagpunta at kung maari wag po tayong magsimula ng kaguluhan.” (Thank you for coming and I hope no one causes any trouble.)
“Sa loob ng four na taon bilang vice mayor, nakita nyo po ang kalagayan ko,” (In my four years as vice mayor, you saw my situation) Peña said, adding “Sa kabila nun, kapag nagkikita tayo sa kalsada, wala po akong pinakita sa inyong kasupladuhan o na ako ay unfair.” (In spite of that, I was never rude to you or become unfair whenever we met on the streets.)
Peña will temporarily hold office at the old City Hall in Barangay (village) Poblacion.
He said he would meet with department heads to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of services in the city.
Peña’s supporters trooped to the Museo ng Makati and brought placards which said “We Support Mayor Kid Peña!” and “Pagbabago sa Makati, Ngayon Na!”
In a statement released last Saturday, Peña said he was ready to assume the leadership of the city as he assured Makati residents that he would continue the programs initiated by the suspended local chief executive.
READ: Mayor Junjun Binay ordered suspended for six months
“Bilang bise-alkalde, nakahanda po akong tuparin ang aking sinumpaang tungkulin na naaayon sa umiiral na batas,” (As vice mayor, I am ready to carry out my sworn duty as prescribed in the law) Peña said.
He added, “Makakaasa po kayo sa patuloy na pagtupad ng mga proyekto, programa at benipisyo para sa kaunlaran ng lungsod ng Makati.” (Rest assured that projects, programs, and benefits would continue for the betterment of Makati City.)
Binay previously slammed the suspension order as a plot by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to let Peña take the reins as city mayor.
The suspension order, which was handed by the Office of the Ombudsman last March 11, was served by DILG NCR Director Renato Brion Monday morning.
The suspension order was posted at the entrance of the Makati City Hall after Binay’s supporters reportedly stopped Brion from serving it to Binay personally. With a report from Erwin Aguilon, Radyo Inquirer
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