Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella. CDN Digital Photo | Morexette Marie Erram
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A Cebu City court has released a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the termination of three Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) board members by Mayor Edgardo Labella.
The order was granted by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7 presiding judge. Honorable Judge James Steward Himalaloan on March 15, 2021.
Himalaloan issued a TRO against the order of Labella for 20 days. Within those 20 days, Ralph Sevilla, August Pe, and Cecilia Adlawan are reinstated.
“By this order, the above-named plaintiffs shall be reinstated to the status quo ante and the present Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) shall be restrained and shall cease and desist in the exercise of their functions, duties, and responsibilities within the 20-day period duration,” said Himalaloan.
A hearing is also scheduled on March 18, 2021, for the presentation of evidence on why the preliminary injunction should be granted and another hearing on March 25, 2021, for the defendants to show cause on why it should not be granted.
Lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, the legal counsel of the three board members said they welcome the development as the court has heeded their request for a TRO.
This means that the court agrees that the termination by the mayor is yet to be justified.
“This TRO sets things right,” said Ligutan. /rcg