Nalzaro: Politcal conflict in Danao, 2

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I WROTE last Monday about the political conflict in Danao City between two brothers, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., and Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III. I noted that “innocent” people who are just doing their jobs have been caught in the crossfire.

I was referring to the local election officers who are conducting verification proceedings on the signatures gathered in connection with the recall petition filed against the mayor. Boy's camp also filed a recall petition against Nito and all the members of the city council.

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Dominic Ian Marigomen, the election officer of Danao City, is facing a disbarment case before the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, Boy's legal counsel, filed the case after Marigomen conducted the verification proceedings last Feb. 13 despite the pending petitionfor certiorari filed by Dalawampu before the Supreme Court.

The SC dismissed Dalawampu's petition on that the same day but she received the copy of the order only on Feb. 17. She claimed it was not yet final.

Dalawampu also filed administrative cases against members of the verification committee. She is also set to file a disbarment case against Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano for intervening in the verification. But Castillano claimed he was just following legal and lawful orders from the Office of the Deputy Director for Operations to proceed with the verification proceedings.

It was a case of “damned if you do and damned if you don't, he said. Well, I can only sympathize with you, Atty. Castillano. That's part of the professional hazards that hound one holding a sensitive position. Sometimes we have to face the risk and the consequences of our action and decisions.

Dalawampu, who was my lawyer in my libel and contempt of court cases, wrote to me and furnished me a copy of her move to declare the verification proceedings null and void. In the spirit of fairness, I am reprinting herewith some excerpts of Atty. Glo's letter:

“I write in reaction to your column today (Monday) in Sun.Star regarding the verification proceedings in Danao City. You wrote that Atty. Lionel Marco Catillano exclaimed, 'damn if you do and damned if you don't.’ When his intervention in the verification proceedings was questioned, he explained that he was exercising supervision and control over Atty. Dominic Ian Marigomen. He did not show any authority or order from Comelec Manila.

“I am forwarding to you my motion for nullification of the verification proceedings.

It shows the legal bases of the motion and the factual and legal support on the question of why Atty. Castillano has to be made liable. Yesterday, I found out that the chairmen of the committees created as representatives of Marigomen courtesy of Castillano are regional attorney Enerio Ocariza, Ferdinand Gujilde, Emmanuel Uy, Alex VIllacrusis and Ferdinand Hortelano.

“Maghupot gani ta og katungdanan nga nagkinahanglan og neutrality, objectivity and fairness, ato gyud nga buhaton nga way gidapigan. Kay wala siya makatuman niini kay aduna siyay amo nga giserbisyohan, magbayad gyud siya kun dunay moreklamo.”

Attached to Dalawamou's letter were copies of her motion to declare the verification proceedings null and void and the motion to furnish copy of the petitioners' compliance and recall proceedings. She asked the committee members to immediately cease and desist from performing and participating in the verification proceedings, they being either Marigomen's election assistants or a public school teacher of Danao City as provided by Resolution No. 7505 of the Comelec.

She also warned the concerned elections officers that they will be criminally, administratively and civilly liable if they would insist. Fight Atty. Glo, taga-Mindanao god ta. Pero si Castillano taga-Mindanao pud na.