Danao's political parties preparing for 2013 polls

CEBU, Philippines - Danao City is humming these days what with political parties already preparing for next year’s midterm elections.

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. has announced he will seek reelection with his brother Jesus Don Durano as his running mate.

Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III will contest his brother Boy and his son, Rep. Ramon ‘Red” Durano VI, who is now serving his last term, will vie for the vice mayor post.

Former Tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano, son of Vice Mayor Nito Durano, was reported to be eyeing a political come back and might run for a congressional seat representing the fifth district.

This early, Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III accused his brother Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano, Jr. of mismanagement for having failed to address the needs of the poor.

The vice mayor cited the refusal of Mayor Boy Durano to release the salary of 250 casual employees assigned at his office and the city council.

He said he and his son have bought rice for the affected employees with their own money to help them get by for the time being.

“Grabe na gayud kayo ka hasol sa atong mga empleyado nga wala tagda na sa buhatan sa mayor,” Durano told reporters.

The fifth district solon said he has consulted the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Audit for ways to employ the workers and be paid.

The camp of Mayor Durano has maintained that the city government cannot release the salaries of the casual employees because it has questioned the salaries’ inclusion in the annual budget.

At present, the payment of salaries, wages, and benefits of city hall employees assigned to the Vice Mayor’s Office has been held in abeyance so the 250 employees continue to be deprived of their “sustenance and life-support for about more than three months already,” the camp of Vice Mayor Durano said.

The conflict between Mayor Boy Durano and his brother Vice Mayor Nito started a month following the 2010 elections because of differences in running the affairs at city hall.

The two camps filed recall petitions against each other although the Commission on Elections, citing the lack of funds, decided not to push through with any recall election. (FREEMAN)