Tudela mayoralty rivals sign pact to end conflict

CEBU - The two claimants of the mayoralty position in Tudela town, Camotes Island, yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement in hopes of ending the continuing clash between their respective parties.

The agreement came after a conference last Thursday brokered by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia between Rogelio Baquerfo Sr. and Demetrio Granada in order to resolve the conflict, which is already affecting the delivery of basic services to the town.

In the meeting, Baquerfo’s camp proposed that once the Commission on Elections en banc denies the motion for reconsideration filed by Granada over the injunction case and they cannot secure a temporary restraining order within 30 days, then he will concede to Baquerfo.

The same goes for Granada, that if Comelec will grant his motion and Baquerfo fails to secure a temporary restraining order within the given time then he will also concede to Granada.

Under the terms and conditions, which Baquerfo and Granada signed, both agreed to “respect, abide and comply with all orders, writs and processes issued pursuant to law, in relation to the resolution of the conflict by proper authorities.”

The MOA also stipulates that neither of the two will be recognized as the duly elected mayor for now.

“At last, ato na gyud saksihan ang katumanan sa katawhan sa Tudela nga magka-uyon ang nagkabangi nga duha ka kampo,” provincial legal officer Marino Martinquilla said before the two camps signed the MOA.

The two camps also ended their conflict over the delay of the release of the job order workers’ wages.

Both Baquerfo and Granada agreed to put up a property bond so that the 102 job workers —whom both appointed— can be paid.

Baquerfo hired 52 job order workers who had not yet received their salaries since July while the rest were appointed by Granada and had not been paid since September.

The job orders workers have a daily salary of P115 for specific projects.

Baquerfo put up a bond worth P900,000 while Granada offered P1.6 million. The bond will serve as assurance for the town, once the court will declare the real winner and the Commission on Audit will disallow the payment of job order employees appointed by the losing candidate.

Earlier, it was Garcia who acted as signatory on the checks for the salaries of regular and casual employees, as the Land Bank of the Philippines refused to honor the signatures of either Baquerfo or Granada.

In a separate interview, Granada and Baquerfo said they were happy with the developments. But each insisted he was still the sitting mayor.— Garry B. Lao/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)