Pasay City, Jan. 26, 1998 - A court-appointed medical team will subject Pasay Mayor Pablo Cuneta to a thorough examination to determine his physical and mental fitness to discharge the duties and functions of a city mayor.
The Department of Interior and Local Government sought the court's action to resolve the conflict between Mayor Cuneta and Vice Mayor Peewee Trinidad on who has the right to sit as mayor of Pasay.
The controversy arose from the return of Mayor Cuneta from medical leave to reassume his mayor's seat. His designated acting mayor, Vice Mayor Trinidad, refused to vacate the office, claiming that the 87-year-old Cuneta was no longer physically or mentally capable of running the affairs of the city government.
DILG lawyer Emeterio Moreno said "it is a very interesting case because it is the first of its kind."
"This case will help in the proper interpretation of the provisions of the Local Government Code concerning physical and mental incapacity and will surely enrich our jurisprudence on the matter," he added.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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