Early campaign season in Taguig?

Camps of Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tinga accused each other yesterday of early campaigning in preparation for a possible recall election.

Accusations were made even as the resolution signed by 84 members of the Preparatory Recall Assembly (PRA) six days ago with an accompanying petition for recall polls have yet to be submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"It’s now campaign season for them. Mayor Tinga has ordered employees to gather signatures from residents to reject the recall petition," Cayetano said in reaction to the mayor’s earlier pronouncement that the recall move was dead.

The lawmaker claimed signatures are being solicited even in schools, day-care centers and health centers.

A barangay official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that there is indeed a signature campaign in support of Tinga but this was being spearheaded by a group called Christian Action Team for Sustainable Development. The official added the group started the campaign even before the PRA was conducted last Sept. 8. The source denied this was initiated by Tinga’s camp.

A two-page signature sheet expressing support for Tinga and rejecting a recall election was obtained by The STAR from a municipal employee. The signatures were from Barangay Tuktukan, whose chairman, Eddie Cruz, is reportedly a supporter of Cayetano. The employee also denied that signatures are being solicited in schools like the Ricardo Papa High School behind the municipal hall.

"There are people who just want to make a statement and express their support for the mayor," said Ana Santos, municipal spokeswoman. She admitted being sent copies of the signature sheets but denied the mayor had a hand in the campaign. It is businessman Rafael "Boydee" Dizon III who is apparently starting his own campaign through distribution of copies of his resume around Taguig, Santos said.

Cayetano’s group has tapped Dizon, a nephew of former Mayor Ricardo Papa, to face Tinga if the recall elections push through.

The resume showed Dizon’s credentials: a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Southern California, USA and a successful businessman, among others. It also indicated Dizon’s platform, promising livelihood, education, a health program, and a transparent and democratic governance.