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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Vindication and reward: Lone voice of dissent in town council's approval of POGO in Bamban, Tarlac swears in as mayor

Vindication and reward: Lone voice of dissent in town council's approval of POGO in Bamban, Tarlac swears in as mayor

Published Aug 14, 2024 07:49 am

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Department of the Inteior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. swears in municipal councilor Erano Timbang as the acting mayor of Bamban, Tarlac after an Ombudsman decision that disqualified controversial town mayor Alice Guo and suspended the rest of the town council members. The ceremony was held at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (Mark Balmores)

 

The lone voice of dissent when the approval of the permit for the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) is allegedly being railroaded by the town council is now the acting mayor of Bamban, Tarlac.

And for Erano Timbang, it was a reward from God for standing on a moral ground in opposing what he deemed as illegal and harmful for the people of Bamban.

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, Timbang was sworn in as Bamban mayor by no less than Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. in a ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“I am sad with what happened in our town but I will try to do my best to do the jobs that were assigned to me even if it is only for three months,” Timbang told reporters in an interview at Camp Crame.

“From the very start, I felt that I was never their ally. I was always outnumbered, especially on legal matters. I am happy that with my sacrifice for two years, I was given a reward by God,” he added.

Timbang’s ascension to the top post of Bamban town came after the Office of the Ombudsman disqualified Alice Guo as the mayor. The decision also wiped out the town council, including the vice mayor, after they were all suspended for three months.

Guo, Bamban’s vice mayor and the rest of the Bamban town council were charged by the DILG with grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service over the POGO following a raid a few months ago. 

Guo was later grilled in the Senate and was accused of being a spy for China, an allegation which she repeatedly denied.

Abalos, for his part, said Timbang’s assumption as town mayor is important so as not to affect all the government transactions and delivery of basic services in the municipality. 

“There should be no disruption of government services and he will be serving as acting mayor because we go by succession,” said Abalos, referring to Timbang whom he said was absolved by the Ombudsman after he was the only one who opposed the granting of permit for POGO.

Meanwhile, Abalos called on the supporters of Guo to respect the decision of the court.

Related Tags

POGO Bamban Tarlac Alice Guo
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