Search for Compostela OIC a challenge to DILG

CEBU, Philippines - Department of the Interior and Local Government regional director Pedro Noval Jr. is having a hard time looking for someone to replace him as officer-in-charge of Compostela town.

So far the eight people he has recommended to take over as Compostela OIC have been rejected by the camps of Ritchie Wagas and Joel Quiño, who are both claiming the mayoralty.

Each side claims all of the recommendees are affiliated with the other camp in one way or another.

“Every time nga naa koy makit-an i-refer man gyud nako to both parties, apan mo-ingon man og ‘kang kuan man na’ busa lisod gyud, busa padayon gihapon atong pagpangita og tawo nga acceptable to both camps,” Noval said.

Three of those he approached were priests, but they turned him down saying it is against their vows to get involved in politics.

He said that he cannot be mayor of the town for the next three years because not only will his work at the DILG be affected but his daily commute from Cebu City to Compostela and back is staring to take its toll.

He hopes that the Commission on Elections will soon resolve the electoral protest filed by Wagas so he can go back to focusing on being DILG-7 director.

Wagas, former Compostela mayor, lost to Quiño during the May 2010 elections and filed an election protest against the newly-elected mayor and the eight councilors of the town citing discrepancies in the results of the automated elections.

He was able to secure a suspension order from the Comelec last June which was implemented last July 1, a day after Quiño assumed as mayor. (THE FREEMAN)