PB resolution for urgent resolution of Compostela political row hidden?

CEBU, Philippines – Had it not because of some board members already asking updates of their resolution passed three months ago urging the Commission on Elections to expedite the resolution of the election protest in Compostela, the resolution would have remained in limbo.

Provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said he only received the resolution last Wednesday. Castillano said he immediately endorsed it to Comelec chairman Jose Melo.

Castillano said the resolution gives the impression of urgency to resolve the case and would have driven Comelec officials in Manila to act on it immediately. However, the resolution was stocked on file somewhere at the provincial board.

It was PB Member Thadeus Durano Sybico who inquired of the status of their resolution during their Monday session. Sybico was right in his intuition that the resolution was not yet sent to Manila.

While Sybico questioned the delay during the deliberations, the resolution could no longer be traced whether it was still at the Vice Governor's Office or at the Provincial Secretary's Office.

Sybico said they would find out in the coming days which office caused the delay "while Compostela town continue to have no mayor and councilors and the problems there are rising."

"The high political tension resulting from the controversial Comelec resolution continues to result in the lack or failure on the part of the municipal government to provide the usual and fundamental basic services to the constituents, not to mention the threat to the peace and order of the local community," the two-page resolution said.

Former mayor Ritchie Wagas, who alleged that irregularities marred the elections, asked the Comelec to suspend the proclamation of the winning candidate, Joel Quiño and his slate.

Ouano, in his resolution, added "the 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."

He said the Comelec, which is vested with the primary responsibility of settling election disputes, must "expeditiously and judiciously" address the matter.

Earlier, Sybico said three barangay captains complained that the delivery of basic services has suffered since Department of Interior and Local Government 7 Director Pedro Noval assumed as OIC mayor of Compostela. (FREEMAN)