Durano starts move to defer Comelec budget

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu 5th district Rep. Ramon "Red" Durano IV yesterday started to move on his threat to have the budget of the Commission on Elections deferred for next year pending resolution of the election dispute in the municipality of Compostela in his district.

Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer faced the House Committee on Appropriations in a budget hearing yesterday when Durano manifested to defer its budget in the plenary.

Ferrer is the one handling Compostela's case in the Comelec 2nd Division.

Durano said that he asked Ferrer several questions on the rules of the Comelec in hearing election protests, issuance of orders and the remedy of suspension of its orders and caught him by surprise when the queries led to the Compostela case.

"Wa na siya makatarung og tubag ug ni-contradict siya sa iya gibuhat karon sa Compostela. Wa na daw siya kahibawo sa specifics sa case maong ako siya gibasahan sa ilang order," Durano told The FREEMAN in a phone interview. Durano got mad after he was accused by DILG-7 director and acting Compostela officer-in-charge Pedro Noval of deceiving the people when he delivered a privilege speech in the House of Representatives last week.

Durano said that he will move in the House for the deferment of the 2011 budget for the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Comelec until the issue in Compostela, which belong to his district, will be resolved.

Durano said that budget for the DILG will be heard before the House next week and he will confront the DILG officials as well.

"They don't deserve to have the budget, they don't even deserve to exist," Durano earlier said.

Compostela still has no mayor as Comelec has yet to resolve the election protest filed by former mayor Ritchie Wagas against proclaimed Mayor Joel Quiño. Quiño took his oath as mayor but was not able to assume office when his proclamation along with other newly elected officials was suspended by the Comelec.

Then the DILG appointed Noval as caretaker and acting mayor of Compostela.

In his speech, Durano said that Compostela's treasury is nearing bankruptcy, basic services are suffering and the peace and order is deteriorating because there is no duly-elected mayor to take charge. (FREEMAN)