MANILA, Philippines — The lone councilor who opposed the granting of permit to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac will take over as acting town mayor following the removal of Alice Guo from office and the suspension of the vice mayor who was supposed to be the next in line of succession.

Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. announced on Wednesday that Erano Timbang will temporarily be the Bamban mayor since Vice Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for three months.

Abalos said that Timbang was next in line after the suspension of the vice mayor and town councilors.

He said Timbang was "the only councilor left in the municipal council" since "he is the only one who opposed [the granting of permit to the Pogo], so he was absolved by the Ombudsman."

Abalos said Timbang would take his oath as Bamban mayor at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon.

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