Barangay leaders counter with support for mayor

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — While some supporters of defeated mayoralty bet Marcos "Macoy" Larrazabal have started a signature campaign for a planned petition for recall against City Mayor Eric Codilla, barangay chairmen had their own drive supporting the mayor.

The city's barangay leaders conducted their campaign of support and reaffirmation of their trust to Codilla in different ways. Some of them have been going for the usual gathering of signatures while others did theirs by approving barangay resolutions.

Barangay Punta, for example, had approved a resolution declaring the village's full trust and confidence to Codilla's leadership. Similar measures from most of the barangays were also initiated.

Liga ng mga Barangay president Antonio Codilla told The FREEMAN that the acts of the barangay chairmen to show support to the mayor were spontaneous. "Nobody enticed or influenced us on these. We just did it to give justice to Mayor Codilla whom we believe is a victim of a smear campaign to taint his image." 

The league's official also clarified that barangay chairmen were not obliged to express support to the mayor, and he is happy with their current outpouring of support for the mayor, done voluntarily.

The looming recall petition, which has the alleged backing of Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez (4th dist., Leyte), came after Larrazabal filed an election protest against Codilla but was later dismissed on a technicality.

Larrazabal filed a motion for reconsideration which until now has yet to be resolved by the Comelec en banc.

The signature drive of his camp stated that the signatories have already lost trust and confidence in Codilla and family who have been administering the city for the past 18 years.

A petition for recall to be valid only calls for the signatures of at least 10 percent of the total voting population. A long process follows thereafter.

As of press time, however Comelec-Region 8 assistant regional director Felicisimo Esclamado said his office has not yet received any recall petition from Ormoc. – THE FREEMAN