Acting Compostela mayor asking for replacement

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Compostela mayor Jerome Gonzales asked to be replaced due to limited time and more responsibilities to attend to as the officer-in-charge of the Cebu Provincial Local Government Office.

He said that he already sent a letter to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo stating his reasons for this request.

“Ang DILG–7 needed og undivided attention. Ang Compostela nagkinahanglan og mayor nga taas og time nga makatutok gyud didto. Unya ako, gamay ra man gyud og time para ana. Mas maayo tingali og naa’y lain,” Gonzales told The FREEMAN.

However, Gonzales said that he has no recommendations as to his replacement.

Gonzales hopes that the Commission on Elections will soon solve the issue on the proclamation of the winners of the May 10, 2010 elections.

“Ganahan unta mi mahuman dayon. It’s only the Comelec who can solve the issue. Mas maayo og sayo,” he said.

He added that even though DILG has nothing to do with the issue, they are concerned with the people of the town who are being affected by the situation.

“They have suffered for so long na gyud. Luoy pud sila,” Gonzales said.    

Compostela has reportedly not implemented developmental projects since there is not enough budget.

“Mas maayo unta naa na’y mayor ug sanggunian aron makabwelo na ta. Lisud na og manira na ang munisipyo,” Gonzales said.

Compostela mayor-elect Joel Quiño expressed his objection to the recounting of the ballots as stated in the order of the Comelec 2nd Division.

Quiño also asked his lawyer to look at the reason of the municipal board of canvassers in questioning the results of the election when they were responsible for proclaiming the winners.

In its resolution dated last January 12, the Comelec 2nd Division annulled the proclamation of Quiño, Vice Mayor-elect Maria Antoinette Dangoy and eight municipal councilors of Compostela town after granting the petition filed by former mayor Richie Wagas. (FREEMAN)