CEBU – Supporters of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez held a caravan yesterday to oppose an impending recall move against the beleaguered mayor.
The caravan, which started past 1pm and ended around 5pm, had Fernandez loyalists waving streamers and placards opposing the recall initiated by businessman Crisologo Saavedra and former barangay Jaclupan chief Avelino Labajo.
Association of Barangay Captains President Osmundo Manreal Jr. said that except for Lawaan 1, the rest of the 21 barangays in Talisay City joined the caravan but they reportedly intentionally asked the barangays to send only two vehicles to avoid traffic congestion.
At least 200 supporters of Fernandez reportedly joined the caravan. Most prominent were City Administrator Richel Bacaltos and City Councilors Rodi Cabigas, Bernard Odilao Jr., Edward Alesna, Turo Bas and Ben Abatayo.
The recall petition stemmed from Fernandez’ alleged abuse of authority when he allegedly paid off the supposed victims of his son Joavan so they would discontinue the cases they filed against him in relation to an alleged kidnapping August this year.
Saavedra and Labajo claimed the residents in Talisay City already lost their confidence in the mayor.
In an earlier interview, Fernandez’s political opponent Johnny V. delos Reyes who admitted supporting the recall move, said they have already gathered thousands of signatures.
However, no date has been set to file the petition before the Commission on Elections.
Meanwhile, it was observed that at least eight government vehicles were used during yesterday’s caravan.
Among those with red plates include the service vehicles of barangay Lawaan III bearing the plate numbers SGV 532 and SJC 130; barangay Pooc’s service vehicle with plate number SGT 187; barangay Cansojong’s “Clean and Green” mini dump truck with plate number SJC 244.
Two other vehicles with red plates bearing the numbers SGW 765 and SGW 767 were also spotted. Two patrol cars of the city police and one from the city’s traffic commission were also used during the caravan.
Apart from these, two more vehicles issued to barangays joined the caravan but their license plates were covered during the activity.
Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman created Task Force Red Plate, aimed at boosting the government’s drive against the unauthorized use of government vehicles.
Ordinary citizens are also encouraged to send reports of such abuse of government property so that violators can be penalized. Those who will be found guilty of the offense may be suspended from service for six months. — Liv G. Campo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)