By Rene Malferrari
Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental, Sept.20, 2024_
“This is clearly politically-motivated,” thus decried Kinoguitan Mayor Danilo A. Lagbas, Jr., as he awaited the alleged suspension order from the Provincial Capitol.
Mayor Lagbas lamented that he was not given due process and intends not to vacate his office when the supposed preventive suspension will be enforced. Lagbas has been the subject of an administrative complaint before the Sangguniang Panglalawigan for alleged gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the public. The complaint stemmed from the alleged inaction of the municipal government from enforcing a cease and desist order against the construction of a port in Kinoguitan’s bay area.
Lagbas added that he did not receive any summon from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to attend Thursday’s session wherein the legislative body convened as a committee of the whole. The said committee decided to recommend a 60-day preventive suspension against Mayor Lagbas while the body tackles the complaint.
Lagbas denounced the alleged political harassment due to Lagbas’ earlier pronouncement that he is interested in running for the top provincial position in next year’s midterm polls.
The controversy arose in 2019 when Lagbas’ wife, the then mayor, did not issue a permit for the proponent to build a dock at Barangay Panabol which Lagbas said was not approved by both the Bureau of Aquatic Resources and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The two agencies feared damage to the coral reefs and surroundings.
