Comelec urged to act fast on Compostela row

CEBU, Philippines - Three members of the Provincial Board want the Commission on Elections to immediately resolve the “political unrest” in Compostela before the current situation affects the delivery of basic services in the town.

Board Members Thadeo Ouano, Sergio Restauro, and Alfred Francis Ouano, ex-officio member and president of the Philippine Councilors League – Cebu province, will file a resolution to this effect during the board’s regular session today.

Both Ouano and Restauro said the high political tension in the town resulting from the controversial Comelec resolution will highly result to the failure of the municipal government to provide basic services to its residents, not to mention the threat to peace and order thereat.

“The doomsday political scenario in the Municipality of Compostela cannot be left to the hands of luck or fate, but must be addressed with a more drastic solution through an expeditious and judicious action by the Comelec, which is vested with the primary responsibility of settling election disputes,” their draft resolution reads.

The Comelec has suspended the effect of the proclamation of the town’s newly-elected officials following a petition filed by former mayor Ritchie Wagas.

Mayor-elect Joel Quiño, Vice Mayor – elect Nenet Dangoy and the members of the municipal council received a copy of the Comelec resolution two days after they assumed office. They were proclaimed winners on May 11, 2010, just a day after elections and took their oath on June 28, 2010 before Fifth District Rep. Ramon Durano VI.

Quiño, who maintains he is still the mayor, has filed a motion for reconsideration on the Comelec order.

Department of Interior and Local Government 7 Director Pedro Noval has been directed to sit as acting mayor of Compostela pending resolution of Wagas’ petition.

In an interview with The FREEMAN yesterday, Noval said the situation in the town remains “manageable” with the help of the police. Supporters of Wagas and Quiño earlier assured Noval they will help prevent conflict from erupting.

Noval said he is now in the process of the scrutinizing the town’s financial resources and has ordered the different department heads to submit a list of regular employees assigned to them.

Noval said he will do his best to continue the delivery of basic services in the town. — THE FREEMAN