PAOAY, Ilocos Norte, July 5–Reelected mayor Jessie Echanique Galano of this town was unseated anew from his post yesterday.
Galano quickly vacated his office upon receipt of the order of Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano directing him to step down pending the appeal of his graft case with the Supreme Court.
The Ombudsman, earlier, perpetually disqualified Galano and an allied councilor from holding any public office.
It found Galano guilty of violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and Employees and Local Government Code.
As a result, he was ousted as the sitting mayor last year due to the allegation that he falsified the travel documents of the councilor.
In questioning the ruling, Galano aided by his legal counsel elevated his case to the Court of Appeals until it now reached the Supreme Court.
At press time, Vice Mayor Romulo Labasan Acdal Sr., his winning running mate during the recent election, assumed the mayorship in accordance with the law of succession.
Elected senior municipal councilor Mark Angelo “Lucky” Domingo automatically assumed as vice mayor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan. (tri-media report)
