Baquerfo mulling another criminal case versus Granada

CEBU - Tudela Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo is mulling to file another criminal case against political rival Demetrio Granada and his supporters for allegedly making the municipal building as their apartment.

Baquerfo said that Granada and some of his supporters have been occupying the municipal building for six months already and are utilizing government properties and resources.

He claimed these people are using the water supply and electricity paid by the municipal government.

“I will file charges against them for using the municipal building as their house,” Baquerfo told The FREEMAN.

He said he already referred the matter to his lawyer to determine the proper charges to be filed before the prosecutor’s office.

Baquerfo had already filed several charges against Granada. Among these cases is usurpation of authority for Granada’s alleged discharging the function of the mayor without authority.

Granada and his supporters occupied the new municipal building for six months already after he forcibly took over the office of the mayor from Baquerfo.

He was declared by the Regional Trial Court as the winner in the last elections but the decision is not yet final and executory.

Baquerfo filed an appeal before the Commission on Elections, which is yet to be resolved.

Granada took over the municipal building despite the absence of the writ of execution of the court decision after a temporary restraining order that barred him from assuming the post expired.

Since then, Baquerfo has been prevented from physically assuming his office because of the presence of Granada and his supporters.

Baquerfo attempted to regain his office before Christmas but he failed because of Granada’s supporters, who blocked him from entering the municipal building, an incident that again ignited tension in the town.

The tension, however, immediately subsided after Baquerfo and his supporters withdrew and occupy the old municipal building instead.

Baquerfo said he would continue to occupy the old municipal building until Granada steps down.

He vowed to fully exercise his authority as the duly elected mayor of Tudela on Monday, the first working day of the year. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)