Baricuatro denies hand in Mingla mayor suspension, discloses supposed death threat

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro denied any role in the suspension of Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad even as she revealed a supposed plot to kill her.

The governor issued the statement on Friday, Feb. 6, responding to social media posts linking her to the one-year preventive suspension of Enad and other Minglanilla officials, which took effect on Feb. 2.

Baricuatro said she felt compelled to speak out after seeing her name linked to the Ombudsman ruling.

The governor emphasized that she has nothing to do with the suspension of Enad.

“Such actions would only disrupt governance,” said Baricuatro.

She described Enad as one of her top-performing mayors and noted that the allegations circulating online appear to be part of a political tactic aimed at stirring anger among mayors and destabilizing the province.

The governor urged local officials and the public not to believe “unfounded whispers” spreading on social media, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation between the Provincial Government and the mayors.

“The success of the Mayors is the success of Cebu,” she said, calling for officials to remain focused on delivering services and advancing the welfare of residents despite the swirling rumors.

Baricuatro also revealed that intelligence reports indicate a hired killer from Mindanao has allegedly been paid millions of pesos to assassinate her.

“If they can’t destroy me, next move is to kill me,” she said, adding that authorities are already involved in ensuring her safety and pursuing justice.

The suspension of Enad and 11 other Minglanilla officials, including Vice Mayor Lani Peña and councilors from the previous term, came after the Office of the Ombudsman found them guilty of oppression and grave abuse of authority related to the non-issuance of a permit in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan.

The administrative case followed a complaint filed by private entities linked to the operator of the Minglanilla landfill, accusing local officials of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over delays or denial of permit issuance.

Shortly after his suspension, Enad clarified that the administrative case is separate from his rejection of a proposal to use Minglanilla as a temporary landfill site.

The plan to transport garbage from Cebu City was discussed during an emergency meeting at the Capitol on Jan. 22 to address solid waste management situation, following the collapse of Binaliw landfill.

During the suspension period, first Councilor Lheslen Enad, the mayor’s wife, will serve as acting mayor, while Councilor Mulot Laput will act as vice mayor.(MyTVCebu)