Life of Pe: Comelec skips crux of issue

A FEB. 1 Comelec decision disqualifying Cebu City Councilor Jun Pe may gladden his political rivals but must dishearten others who think he's scoffing at the rule on term limit.

He's completing his third term as councilor of the city's north district but is running for a fourth term in the south.

And here's this Comelec division ruling that strikes his name out for lack of residence but not for violation of term limit. Pe's 2013 bid is being shot down but not for the major reason.

The Constitution (Sec. 8, Art. X) and the Local Government Code (Sec. 43 [b]) provide that no local elective official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position.

Pe has been city councilor for nine straight years. If he's not stopped and wins, he'll get the same position (city councilor), in the same legislature (Cebu City Council). Not a different body, not another post.

If Pe hurdles the residence requirement and clearance on term limit, he or any other city councilor can move from one district to the other after every three consecutive terms, no end, until he collapses in exhaustion on City Council floor.

The Comelec commissioners are frustrating the intent of the Constitution and the law and, by golly, they seem not to know it.

Breaking barrier

Other politicians take a break after the term limit or they put up wife or child as surrogate. Pe just changes residence--and keeps his seat, representing people he, by abandonment, no longer has the right to represent.

If the Comelec can't see through the freaking scheme, God help us.

(paseares@sunstar.com.ph)