Acenas gets to act as mayor one last time

By Nitz Arancon

VICE Mayor Cesar Ian Acenas gets to perform the functions of a mayor for the last time before he steps down next month after Mayor Oscar Moreno designated him as city hall’s caretaker.

Moreno left on Tuesday to serve as a panelist in a Washington DC forum. This is his first trip abroad since he won a reelection.

Before leaving, Moreno said the expenses for the trip are to be shouldered by the Center for Strategic and International Studies CSIS, organizers of the two-day Global  Development Forum that is scheduled to start today.

Acting city administrator Dionne Gersana said Moreno is scheduled to return on Saturday, and until then, Acenas would serve as acting mayor.

Acenas attempted to take over city hall last year based on an order of the ombudsman to dismiss Moreno in connection with a tax settlement case with Ajinomoto Philippines. The appellate court stopped the implementation of the ombudsman’s ruling after Moreno questioned the dismissal order.

Moreno left without signing any memorandum designating Acenas. Gersana said Moreno just named Acenas as acting mayor via a public announcement at city hall on Monday.

Gersana however said Moreno entrusted him with all of city hall’s transactions.

“Ministerial man lang atong function karon dinhi samtang tu-a sa abroad si Mayor Moreno,” he said.

Moreno’s trip was on the invitation of Daniel Runde, chairman of William A. Schreyer in Global Analysis,  and director of the Project on US Leadership in Development Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Moreno was invited because he is the national president of the League of Cities of the Philippines, and for his “extraordinary leadership in Cagayan de Oro City.”

Maricel Rivera, city hall spokesperson, said none of the members of Moreno’s family or any city hall official left for the US with the mayor.

“Siya ra man ang gi-invite, so siya  ra ang milarga,” Rivera said. (nitz arancon)