Comelec: Jack doesn'tneed to leave CITOM

CEBU, Philippines - City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Chairman Sylvan Jakosalem said he was told by Cebu City Election Officer Edwin Cadungog that there is no need for him to resign even after filing his certificate of candidacy the other day.

 Jakosalem is gunning for another seat in the City Council under Team Rama. Like the party’s standard bearer, Mayor Michael Rama, Jakosalem used to be a member of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Cadungog reportedly said that if Jakosalem is just a contractual employee and not an appointed employee, there is no need for him to resign. Cebu City North District Election Officer Marchel Sarno also agreed.

Despite this pronouncement from Comelec, Rama said he will let the city lawyers study Jakosalem’s case and interpret the law. He said he will immediately look for a replacement if the law demands that Jakosalem relinquish his post in CITOM.

City Councilor Edgardo Labella who is running for vice mayor, meanwhile, believes that government workers should resign after filing their COC’s.

Labella recalled the elections in 1998 when he resigned as director of the Office of the Ombudsman –Visayas after filing his COC.

For his part, Jakosalem said he is ready to step down as CITOM chairman if city lawyers would say even contractual employees need to give up their post.

The City Council approves Jakosalem’s contract every six month.

The latest Comelec En Banc resolution provides that appointed officials and employees of the government, including the police and military personnel, are considered automatically resigned once they file their certificate of candidacy. - /JMO (FREEMAN)