"We're in for a lengthy process"

CEBU, Philippines - It is still a long way to go before a special election could be held in Danao City even if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) already issued a resolution certifying the sufficiency of the petition for recall filed by Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III against his eldest brother and namesake, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano, Jr.

“Medyo taas taas pa ang proseso,” said Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano yesterday.

The resolution of the Comelec En Banc dated July 26 and signed by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes and six commissioners certifies the sufficiency of the petition for recall.

Castillano said they are furnishing copy of the petition to respondent, Boy, who has yet to get one since the petition was filed by the camp of Nito.

Castillano said that another order shall be issued by the Comelec Manila to proceed with the verification of at least 12,700 signatures out of the 31,000 signatures gathered by the camp of Vice Mayor Durano.

This time, representatives from both camps shall witness the matching of signatures if the names and signatures used in the petition are in the list of registered voters of Danao City, said Castillano.

A report will then be submitted to Comelec office in Manila and the Comelec en banc again to issue another resolution.

If the signatures are found to be sufficient, Castillano said the Comelec en banc will issue an order setting the schedule of recall election.

Castillano, however, said he has yet to determine where to source the money for the expenses should the recall election pushes through.

The Comelec would have to spend about P5 million for the elections.

“We need the assistance of the PNP to make sure a peaceful election kay grabe kainit ang politics sa Danao City,” he said.

Castillano said they will be starting to verify voters’ signatures in Danao City as they have finished doing the verification of names.

After the signatures are verified, Castillano said they will send a report to Comelec Manila for the final decision on whether a recall election would be approved.

Castillano said it would be better to do the verification of signatures at the Cebu Provincial Comelec to avoid tension.

The Comelec requires at least 15 percent of the voters to sign a recall petition for it to be given due course.

There are a total of 78,972 voters in Danao City as of the elections last year.

The camp of Vice Mayor Durano submitted 31,000 signatures to support their petition for recall. He filed the petition for recall against his brother due to loss of confidence.

Mayor Durano also initiated a recall petition against the vice mayor, gathering more than 33,000 signatures.

It passes through the same process - the Comelec is now verifying the names of in the petition and to get at least 29,000 before it will be forwarded to Comelec Manila who will then issue resolution certifying the sufficiency of the petition for recall against Vice Mayor Durano. (FREEMAN)