Comelec waits for court ruling on Banawa split

CEBU, Philippines - Preparation will continue for the plebiscite on the splitting of barangay Guadalupe this Saturday even with the pending civil complaint filed against the Commission on Elections (Comelec-7) in court.

Comelec Officer for the south district lawyer Edwin Cadungog said they will proceed as long as there is no order from the court to stop the conduct of the plebiscite.

“Mao ni ang among stand. Mag-agad mi sa desisyon sa korte. Whatever the court decides, we will have to abide,” Cadungog said.

The hearing for the prohibition with the issuance of a TRO against officials implementing the plebiscite is set at 2 p.m. today.

Cadungog is hopeful that the Regional Trial Court will be able to decide immediately on the matter.

He said that the Comelec central office insisted it will pursue with the plebiscite having experienced the same scenario in Makati where a plebiscite was still conducted despite the same petition for injunction filed against officials implementing the plebiscite.

Cadungog will present to the court today their grounds why the plebiscite may push through this March 13.

Barangay Labangon Councilor Victor Buendia filed a civil complaint against Comelec before the RTC and asked the same authority to declare null and void Comelec Resolution No. 8774, which set the rules and regulations that will govern the conduct of the plebiscite, as well as Republic Act 9905 or the Act creating Barangay Banawa-Englis in the city of Cebu.

Lawyer Julius Ceasar Entise, legal counsel of Buendia, said in the petition that Buendia stands to lose his residency and might face disqualification as barangay councilor of Labangon because once Banawa-Englis is created as a separate barangay, Section 1 of RA 9905 provides that Rosalina Village in Labangon, where Buendia is residing, will be part of the new barangay.

The United Banawa-Englis Association (UBEA) believes that this move of Buendia is influenced by the opposition.

But, one of those not in favor for the split, said he wants the plebiscite to push through.

Barangay Guadalupe Captain Eugenio “Jingjing” Faelnar, denied that this is part of their scheme to derail the split. 

Meanwhile, the P1.45 million plebiscite funds for the honorarium of 444 Board of Election Inspectors hired to facilitate the plebiscite in 148 precincts and other incidentals are set to arrive on March 11.

Cadungog said that he received communication from Comelec central office that it will be released on the said date so everything will be set for the plebiscite by then. – Jessica Ann Pareja/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)