Election protest ‘nears resolution’

Friday, February 3, 2012

A YEAR and seven months without any local official to manage their town because of an electoral protest, residents of the Municipality of Compostela can now hope for a resolution as the Commission on Election (Comelec) will start re-canvassing election returns on Feb. 15.

Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale made the announcement last Wednesday, while Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 Director Ananias Villacorta confirmed DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo’s promise to push through with the re-canvassing.

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The announcement was made during Gov. Gwen Garcia’s distribution of assistance to barangay captains in the town last Wednesday.

Villacorta, who met Robredo in Manila, quoted the secretary telling him, “Malapit na ma-resolve ang problema sa Compostela (The problem in Compostela is almost resolved).”

Villacorta expected the re-canvassing this month, although Magpale quoted the DILG secretary telling her that the re-canvassing will be held on Feb. 15.

Return call

The DILG 7 chief quoted Magpale as saying that Robredo told her to call him if the Comelec fails to act on that date and beyond.

The governor last Wednesday met 17 barangay captains and distributed nine multicabs to several barangays, some of which already have cabs. At least 80 live goats of upgraded breeds and cash assistance were also distributed.

A total of P5.7 million in checks were distributed to all 17 barangays heads.

Meanwhile, 237 barangay tanods and 13 daycare workers received P1,500 each.

Garcia is directly giving assistance to the community heads as they have been without a mayor, vice mayor and councilors for more than a year. The town is operating on a re-enacted budget.

In May 2010, election challenger Joel Quiño prevailed as the newly elected mayor against Richie Wagas, the incumbent mayor at that time.

But the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc affirmed the Second Division’s decision to annul the proclamation of Quiño as mayor, as they found basis in the allegation of former mayor and petitioner Ritchie Wagas that the results from 14 clustered precincts were not transmitted and were left out of the final canvass of votes.