ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A top municipal official of Zamboanga del Sur openly backed the agenda of the Aquino administration, as he expressed his dismay on government officials who remain “Utak Wang-Wang.”

Labangan (Zamboanga del Sur) Mayor Wilson “Al-hadj” Nandang said local government officials who remain to have a “wang-wang” attitude should exit from the government service.

Nandang said he is fully supporting the straight path or “Tuwid na Daan” slogan being implemented by President Aquino.

Nandang broke his silence after Zamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio Cerilles issued a 60-day preventive suspension order against him on July 22, 2011, which the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., lifted last August 11.

Cerilles’ suspension order stemmed from the complaint of Sukarno T. Manupac, the municipal engineer of Labangan, and vice chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), whom Nandang earlier relieved from post for allegedly failing to do their jobs.

“Respondent Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan failed to substantiate that the conditions prescribed by law are existent to justify the imposition of the preventive suspension. Their reliance solely on the evidence presented to Manupac is clearly misplaced. Charges based on mere suspicion and speculation cannot be given credence. It cannot serve as basis for the imposition of preventive suspension,” part of Ochoa’s order stated.

“Wherefore, the Order dated 22 June 2011 preventively suspending Mayor Wilson M. Nandang is lifted and set aside,” the order also said.

But Cerilles reportedly refused to uphold the decision of Ochoa.