The Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas denies the allegations that he wants Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez to surrender his authority so that the DILG can take over the relief efforts in Tacloban City.
Mar Roxas Giving Instruction to Task Force Yolanda (Photo: Official Gazette)
Secretary Roxas was quoted as saying, “Kalokohan. Nothing of that sort transpired. They better be careful in spreading lies,” Roxas said in a press statement.
The cabinet member of Aquino administration added further that, “Walang naging usapan na takeover ng DILG o national government sa Tacloban City Hall. This is absolute nonsense and there was a roomful of people in the command center at the city who can attest to this,” he said.
Mar Roxas is the NDRRMC Vice chairman for Preparedness stated that there are at least 10 witnesses could debunk the claims of lawyer Alex Avisado that the DILG chief wants to muschle in on the territory of Rumualdez.
According to the press statement of the DILG chief was “fuming mad” because of the report. On Monday Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Avisado, the counsel of the Tacloban Mayor, has claimed Roxas wanted to write a letter to President Aquino to inform him that he can no longer function as mayor.