CEBU, Philippines - Fermin Dasmariñas was finally installed as the new barangay captain of Poblacion Pardo yesterday afternoon, but only after two hours of tension because outgoing barangay captain Danny Lim refused to vacate his post.
Lim and his supporters who were already inside the barangay hall first prevented Dasmariñas from entering. But they later changed their mind after court sheriffs who were there to install the new barangay captain to his post threatened to destroy the door if they continued to resist.
Lim’s counsel Ervin Estandarte said they would question the decision of Municipal Trial Court in Cities judge Anatalio Necessario because he claimed that it is not proper to issue a writ of execution directing the sheriff to install Dasmariñas to the post while the case is not yet final.
“Wala’y problema og ilang kwestyonon ang pag-isyu sa writ of execution basta palingkoron lang usa ang akong kliyente,” said Dasmariñas’ counsel Delon Urot.
Lim said that he already filed an urgent motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc asking the electoral body to reconsider the decision of the Comelec 1st Division that denied his appeal reportedly because it was filed beyond the reglementary period.
“Dili g’yod na tinuod nga nalapas na sa reglementary period ang pag-file namo sa appeal. Mintras wala pa unta maresolbar ang among motion for reconsideration, dili pa g’yod angay nga molingkod si Dasmariñas pagka kapitan,” Lim said.
But Urot said the argument of Lim is wrong because the rule is that while he has the right to file a motion for reconsideration of the Comelec’s denial to his appeal, it cannot stop Dasmariñas from assuming the post. He said it is the court that has the right to issue the writ of execution.
The supporters of Lim and Dasmariñas trooped to the barangay hall yesterday after they learned that the sheriff arrived to install Dasmariñas to the post.
When Dasmariñas managed to get to the second floor of the barangay hall where the office of the barangay captain is situated, he found the door of the office locked.
It took another few minutes until Lim was convinced to have it opened so Dasmariñas can be allowed to sit —for the first time— as barangay captain and head of the barangay’s 80 personnel.
“Mangita na lang mi ani og laing trabaho. Dili mi motoo nga kuhaon pa mi og balik ni Dasmariñas kay naa man sab na siya’y iyang tawo,” said some of the barangay employees who were there yesterday.
Dasmariñas earlier said he will consider as “resigned” all personnel of the barangay earlier appointed by political rival.
While Lim is an opposition ally, Dasmariñas who is Lim’s kumpare, is an ally of the administration group Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan.
Dasmariñas acknowledged that it was Lim who taught him about politics when he was asked to run for councilman, saying he does not mind replacing his political mentor as chief of the barangay. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)