Mayor Solayman Sandigan of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur. (Photo courtesy of DXMS Radio Cotabato)
COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MILG-BARMM) is investigating the reported threats of a town mayor in against vendors that went viral on social media.
In an interview Friday, MILG-BARMM Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the viral video of Mayor Solayman Sandigan of Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao del Sur allegedly threatening alleged unlicensed vendors is something his office is "taking seriously."
“We are investigating it; we would like to know what happened in Datu Salibo,” Sinarimbo said after a video of Saligan at the town’s commercial district on Wednesday showed him warning vendors that they will be handcuffed and jailed if they don’t secure business permits.
“Local government officials have regulatory powers over business operations in their respective areas. If there are penalties, it should be within the law, not above it, because it is not right,” Sinarimbo said.
Saligan was seen in the viral video on Facebook roaming around the market area and talking to vendors, asking them if they have business permits from the LGU or if an existing one has been renewed.
“You want to be handcuffed, you have no business permit?” the local official was overheard saying.
In the mayor's defense, Datu Salibo information officer Rico Torino clarified that the official was “simply joking” and that nobody was handcuffed or jailed.
“It was his (mayor’s) way of reminding the vendors to secure permits as provided by law, and he did it in a funny way. That’s how the mayor talks to his constituents,” Torino explained.
Nonetheless, Sinarimbo said an investigation is underway to satisfy anyone who felt aggrieved and give the mayor a chance to air his side. (PNA)
