Acting mayor barricaded Pili municipal compound

By Paolo Gabriel Jamer

Acting Mayor Marivic Solano of Pili, Camarines Sur, on March 3, barricaded with barbed wires and makeshift fence the town’s municipal compound to prevent her political rival, Mayor Tomas Bongalonta, from reassuming his post after the lapse of his six-month suspension.

In an interview with Bicol Mail, Bongalonta strongly condemned the blockade of the municipal compound. He said that Solano should not forcibly obstruct his return and assumption as mayor because his six months suspension already ended on March 4, 2022. Moreover, he said that his assumption of office is anchored on the certification issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bicol that the suspension of Bongalonta should be reckoned from Sept. 3, 2021.

Solano, in a video posted on Facebook, said that she is just protecting the people of Pili from possible threat of violence and sparing municipal employees from being hurt due to conflicts that could arise between her supporters and those of Bongalonta.

She also said that Bongalonta's six-month suspension was not yet over because the latter was still officially discharging his duties after Sept. 3 last year evidenced by purchase orders and other documents signed by Bongalonta, all dated after Sept. 3.

Solano is backed by the Villafuertes, while Bonglonta is allied with ex-Congressman Nonoy Andaya.

As of presstime, Bongalonta said he will reassume his post on April 21, 2022 per advice of Andaya.