Jun Pe to run in South in 2013

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City North District Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. confirmed that he has transferred his residence in the South District two years ago in preparation for his political plans for 2013.

Pe, who is a graduating councilor in the north, said he will run for the same position in the South District.

“I am making myself available. In the end it’s still the decision of the party that will prevail,” Pe told The FREEMAN.

Officials from the Commission on Elections and the Department of Interior and Local Government are of the opinions that Pe can be allowed to run for the same position even if he is a third-termer.

Under the Local Government Code, local officials are only allowed to serve three terms with three years in every term.

Cebu City North District election officer Marchel Sarno said that the term limit does not apply to Pe because he will be representing another district. DILG-7 director Pedro Noval also finds no legal problem about it.

“Tan-aw nako mahimo ra na kay lahi na man nga constituent ang iyang serbisyohan. Pero kadtong apektado mahimong makapangayo og legal opinion sa DILG-Manila,” Noval explained.

Sarno, however, said a serious legal question may arise one year before the next local elections because Pe has to transfer his registration in the South District for him to qualify to run in the district.

According to Sarno, as soon as Pe transfers his registration he is deemed to have abandoned his representation of the North District in the City Council. The legal consequence for him would be to resign as north district councilor one year before the next elections.

Pe said he now lives in Sitio Banawa, Guadalupe for two years already but remains a registered voter in the north.

Councilor Richard Osmeña welcome Pe’s plan to run in the South District because there are members of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan who will not be eligible for reelection.

“Maayo usab na ang iyang move kay dili na man siya qualified nga molansar sa north district motapon na siya nga magpapili sa south district,” Osmeña said.

Among the BOPK members in the south who are no longer eligible for reelection are Councilors Jose Daluz III, Rodrigo Abellanosa and Raul Alcoseba. — THE FREEMAN