Rival asks Comelec to bar Don Durano in Monday’s polls

CEBU, Philippines - Former basketball player Calvin Tuadles has filed a disqualification case against former Danao City mayor Jesus “Don” Durano, his opponent for the Poblacion barangay captain post in the elections this Monday.

In his petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila, Tuadles argued that Don should be disqualified “for not being eligible to run as a candidate in an election or for possessing some grounds for disqualification.”

“Having been found by  the Office of the Ombudsman to be liable for serious dishonesty, which is clearly an offense that involves moral turpitude, respondent (Don) is not eligible to run as candidate in the 2013 barangay elections,” Tuadles said.

He was referring to Don allegedly falsifying his personal data sheet (PDS) when he applied for the position of city administrator. Don was appointed Danao City administrator on April 18, 2011.

Five months later, then city vice mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, Don’s brother and incumbent city mayor, filed a perjury complaint after they had a falling out.

Records showed that as a requirement for his appointment, Don prepared a PDS which stated that he was not facing any criminal cases in court.

However, at the time the PDS was prepared, Don was facing criminal cases before the Danao City Municipal Trial Court for grave coercion, violation of Presidential Decree 1829 and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority. These were docketed as Criminal Case Nos. 11363, 11364 and 11365

Don’s appointment as city administrator was forwarded by his and Nito’s brother, then mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., to the city council for concurrence. But the city council led by Nito rejected the appointment of Don.

The falling out among the Durano brothers had earlier led to the filing of separate petitions for recall.

In the elections last May, Don run for Danao City vice-mayor against his nephew, then congressman and Nito’s son Ramon “Red” Durano V, but lost.

The FREEMAN tried to reach Don for his comment on the petition but he was unavailable as of press time.— /RHM (FREEMAN)