Mayor resigns

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE mayor of a Misamis Oriental town has resigned.

Capitol officials yesterday confirmed that Mayor Thomas Gumahin of Binuangan has decided to step down, and has submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Dec. 28, 2016.

Gumahin’s decision cut short his third and last term as Binuangan’s mayor.

The reason for Gumahin’s resignation remains unclear at presstime.

The town’s vice mayor, Marcelo Abao, will replace Gumahin based on the rule on automatic succession. Like Gumahin, Abao is also a member of the Liberal Party.

Emano, who received the resignation letter, did not say the reason for Gumahin’s decision.

Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez said he, too, could not say why Gumahin resigned.

“I was also informed nga mi-resign  siya pero as to the reason, I don’t know yet,” Pelaez said.

Provincial board member Gerardo Sabal said he learned of Gumahin’s resignation last Dec. 28, the same day the mayor submitted his letter to Emano.

Sabal said he was not able to read Gumahin’s letter, and the reason was unclear, and the details were sketchy even to him.

But he said he was told Gumahin wanted to focus on his business.

“Negosyante man na siya so tingalig tino-od sab nga iyang gi-prioritize ang pag-atiman sa iyang negosyo,” he said.

Sabal hinted that Emano was reluctant to receive the resignation letter at first. “Napogos ug dawat si Gov. Emano sa resignation ni Mayor Gumahin kay iya mang gusto nga moesign siya.”

He said arrangements were being made now for the oathtaking of Abao as Binuangan town mayor.

Sabal said Abao’s installation have yet to be scheduled “pero nahisgot-hisgotan na.”