Capitol will not intervene in Compostela conflict

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Government could only offer prayers for the people and municipal employees of Compostela, northern Cebu for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hasten its resolution of the 2010 elections dispute.

"Kung mag apil-apil ta, kita unya ang ma-contempt," said Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda.

Sepulveda, however, said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is monitoring the situation.

Compostela is within the fifth legislative district represented by Congressman Red Durano. The lawmaker had earlier delivered a privilege speech before the Lower House calling on an investigation against the Comelec for dragging its feet in the Compostela conflict.

Sepulveda stressed that there is a pending case before the Comelec after it suspended the proclamation of winners led by Joel Quiño as mayor in the May elections.

Municipal workers may have to wait longer for their long-delayed salary increase because there are no legislators to approve the town's budget.

The town is under the care of Pedro Noval, the regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas, who serves as acting mayor.

Compostela may have to operate on a reenacted budget next year in the absence of a municipal council.

Noval earlier requested the DILG central office for the appointment of department heads as members of a temporary municipal council but there is no action yet on his request.

The law mandates that local chief executives must submit by October 16 of each year to their respective legislative councils the proposed budget for the next year.

But unlike other local government units who have been doing budget preparations, the political uncertainty in Compostela has barred the conduct of such in their town.

Compostela town employees have yet to receive the first tranche of their salary increase which took effect last January. The second tranche that is supposed to be given next year might also be stalled because of the stalemate.

Former mayor Ritchie Wagas filed the petition questioning the victory of his opponent, who served as vice mayor during his term.

The Comelec suspended not only Quiño's proclamation but also that of the whole council.

Durano, in his privilege speech, had called Comelec's action as highly irregular, unjust, oppressive and reckless. (FREEMAN)