Gwen moves to ease tension, but.Tudela rivals snub Capitol invitation

CEBU - Capitol’s effort to ease the tension in the town of Tudela in Camotes Island seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the two protagonists, who were invited to meet with Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia failed to show up.

Contending parties Rogelio Baquerfo and Demetrio Granada, who are the mayoralty rivals of the town, both did not heed the invitation.

Granada is holed out at the municipal hall of the town after the Regional Trail Court declared him winner of the 2007 elections, but Baquerfo, who was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as winner, wants his post back.

Baquerfo and some followers tried to retake the municipal hall at dawn the other day, but were turned back by Granada and his supporters. Luckily no one was hurt in the confrontation.

Capitol information consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda said they invited two political leaders at the Capitol office but nobody arrived.

“We invited them yesterday (Thursday) noon, but until now nobody’s here. So maybe they want to resolve it (legal issue) on their own way,” Sepulveda said.

Granada has occupied the mayoralty since June after the court ruled in his favor, but is still to secure a writ of execution for such.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) still recognizes Baquerfo as the town mayor due to the absence of such document from court.

Capitol has already gotten in touch with Comelec hoping to ask for a speedy resolution of the deadlock.

 Sepulveda said that they communicated with Electoral Contest and Adjudication Department (ECAD) Director Betty B. Pizaña who, in turn, the informed Capitol that the matter is already for adjudication.

The provincial government already reported the matter to the office of Provincial Election Supervisor lawyer Marco Lionel Castillano, which prompted the latter to make his own report to Comelec-Manila.

Sepulveda said the Comelec commissioners are now aware of the present conflict in Tudela and that they will give preference to the legal controversy.

“We are hoping that sooner than later, the controversy will be adjudicated by Comelec,” Sepulveda said.

As for the agreement earlier signed by the two rivals before Governor Garcia, Sepulveda said the deal was specifically only for the payment of the wages of job order workers and had nothing to do with the political tug-of-war.

To recall, Baquerfo and Granada, through the intercession of the governor, both agreed to post a property bond to pay the salaries of more than 100 municipal workers both appointed during their stints as mayor.

The bond serves as a guarantee to refund the Municipal Government after the court rules between them did not have appointing authority from June 23 to Dec. 31.

“Baquerfo is insisting now that he is the mayor and that his position is non-negotiable anymore,” Sepulveda said.

Sepulveda also said they have yet to receive a formal communication from Baquerfo, who reportedly issued a memorandum booting out Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre from acting as municipal treasurer after he installed his own appointee.

“In so far as the agreement, that (agreement) will last until the end of the month. If they are changing the tunes now, we will reassess the situation and act accordingly,” he said.

Sepulveda said the said that Governor Garcia already instructed Provincial Police Director Senior Supt. Carmelo Valmoria to maintain the peace and order in the municipality and arrest anybody violating the law to deter possible conflict between the rival groups.

“As much as possible, maximum tolerance and make sure two parties will not be able to confront physically with each other. If there is anybody from whichever side violating the law, arrest him and enforce the law,” he said.

Baquerfo was declared mayor in the 2007 elections with a margin of eight votes.

But Danao City RTC Judge Edito Enemecio resolved a recount petition in favor of Granada last January, declaring him the winner by 13 votes.

Augmentation Force

The CPPO has sent more policemen to the town to augment the police force.

Sr. Supt. Valmoria also reported to the Police Regional Office-7 that the situation in the town has abated.

“So far na-minimize na ang tension sa Tudela. Wala nay mga supporters nagshagit ug gamay na lang ang mga reporters. But nag order gihapon ta’g hightened alert by lunch time to ensure peace and order didto sa lugar,” Valmoria said.

Valmoria told reporters that he will send Supt. Eduardo Saavedra along with Insp. Florencio Fajardo to oversee the security operations in the area.

Valmoria added that he order twon police chief, Insp. Ramon Villar, to conduct checkpoints to reduce the tension among the political supporters.

He has also reminded the police that only his orders must be followed and not from either of the two political rivals. — with Bentley Naire Luyong (CIT MassCom Intern)/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)