Peña: I have powers of regular mayor

FOLLOWING criticisms from the camp of the Binays that he supposedly lacked authority to suspend projects and remove employees, acting Makati City Mayor Romulo on Wednesday said he has the full powers of a regular mayor.

“Doon sa preventive suspension, if it’s only for 30 days, wala akong power talaga na mag-appoint, mag-hire or magtanggal. Pero kasi, six months ‘yung binigay sa akin, may power ako na gawin ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yun, contrary doon sa mga sinasabi nila,” Peña said in an interview with ANC Headstart.

As part of his housekeeping acts, Peña vowed to review the contracts of city hall employees to check for “ghost” or bogus workers, and to suspend Makati’s sister city agreements with other local government units.

READ: Peña targets Makati ‘ghosts,’ suspends sister city pacts

On Wednesday, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Peña did not have the authority to suspend the program, which extended Makati’s financial resources to partner cities.

“Baka nakakalimutan ni Vice Mayor Peña na temporary lang siya doon,” Binay said.

READ: VP slams Peña for suspending Makati sister city pacts

Peña said he consulted with the Department of the Interior Local Government regarding his authority as acting mayor.

“Kasi tayo, nagsasaliksik din naman tayo eh. Nagtatanong din tayo sa DILG,” he said.

As to the case of Binay spokesperson Joey Salgado, who was also the head of the information and community relations department of Makati City’s Public Information Office, Peña said his office already sent a memo asking him to report to work.

Peña said he would not sack Salgado from the city hall despite an obvious conflict of interest, but added that he would want him to take a leave from his official duties as a Makati government employee.

“Regardless kung anong political affiliation mo, kung para sa’kin ka o hindi ka para sa’kin, basta ang importante nagtatrabaho ka para sa lungsod at masinop mong tinatrabaho ‘yung mga bagay-bagay,” he added.