By MARK FRANCISCO
THE provincial board of Misamis Oriental has endorsed a 60-day preventive suspension against Kinoguitan Mayor Danilo Lagbas Jr.
Convening itself as a quasi judicial body September 19 presided by board member Gerardo Sabal III, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution penned by board members Jabi Bernaldez and Bliss Francis Acain recommending to Gov. Peter Unabia the measure.
The resolution stemmed from an administrative complaint filed by Kinoguitan Vice Mayor Tomas Zarate for Lagbas’ alleged inaction of the 2019 recommendations of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Natural Resources (BFAR).
The two agencies ruled that the construction and operation of Port Nouveau in barangay Panabol has violated several regulations, particularly damage to coral reefs.
Both DENR and BFAR have forwarded the results of their probe to the local government unit.
But in his allegation, Zarate claimed that Lagbas had failed to act upon the transmittals of the two agencies.
The vice mayor then filed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan an administrative complaint of gross neglect duty and conduct prejudicial to the public regarding the matter.
In a political context, Lagbas is widely rumored to run for governor against Unabia, who is expected to gun for reelection next year.
Meanwhile, Zarate is rumored to run for mayor, pittting himself against his purported opponent, former Mayor Lilibeth Lagbas, the mayor’s wife.
The election will occur still on May 2025 but filing of candidacies is less than a month away.
Meanwhile, there is no word of comment yet from Port Nouveau as of presstime.
