Friday, May 04, 2007 Lawyer to file disqualification raps vs Romualdos By Lizanilla J. Amarga
DISQUALIFICATION charges are now being filed against Camiguin Provincial Governor Pedro "Loloy" Romualdo and his son Congressman Jesus Jardin "JJ" Romualdo who are the Lakas-CMD candidates for congressman and provincial governor, respectively.
But both Romualdos said they are innocent of such allegations hurled against them.
Governor Romualdo said the complainant should even thank him and their lawyer, Marciano Aparte Jr., for saving his life.
In an interview with Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Thursday night, opposition candidate for Camiguin Provincial Board Member Florencio "Jun" Narido Jr. said he has filed disqualification charges against the two Romualdos.
He accused both of violating Section 261 paragraph (e) of the Omnibus Election Code.
"This provision stipulates for the disqualification of any candidate who physically inflicts harm on any person including other candidates for election-related offenses," he said.
Narido recounted how he and the opposition camp together with lawyer Cresentio Co-Untian trooped to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Camiguin last April 27, 2007.
He said this as a hearing was set by Comelec-Camiguin election supervisor Ma. Dulce Cuevas-Banzon on the two disqualification charges filed by the Romualdos against two opposition candidates.
'Never heard' lawyer
The hearing included charges filed by Governor Loloy against his own son, Gogo Romualdo, who is gunning for the same position of congressman of Camiguin in this May elections. Gogo however did not use or disclose his new Balik-Islam name "Umar Muktar."
Also, Congressman JJ's disqualification case filed against Antonio "Nito" Gallardo who is the opposition's candidate for governor of Camiguin, the same post Congressman JJ is eyeing.
Narido, the complainant, recalled how during the hearing Congressman JJ was "already trying to provoke him" when the latter would utter words that were already insulting to him.
He added that Governor Loloy was also telling lawyer Untial that he was a "never heard" lawyer.
Around 10:30 a.m., Narido said he was the last opposition candidate to leave and that he noticed how several government vehicles bearing red plates were lined up outside the Comelec-Camiguin Office.
He said these vehicles were being used by the Romualdos and their bodyguards.
"So, I took a picture of the vehicles’ red plates using the camera in my cellular phone," he said.
Strong grip
But while he was taking such photos, Narido said, Roden "Dandan" Romualdo suddenly accosted him and with his right open palm hand gave him a “pointed chop” hitting him hard on the stomach.
He said he almost doubled over in pain but that he did not fight back despite how Dandan hit him some seven to eight times.
Narido said Congressman JJ then ran towards him and grabbed his waist with one hand and with his other hand curled in a tight fist hit him several times on the shoulder.
He quoted Congressman JJ as telling him "Hambugero mo ba? Kinsa ka ba diri sa Camiguin?"
Narido said JJ then released him and stood in front of the government vehicles and told him to take all the pictures he wants to take.
"Pero kay dako man nga tao si JJ, in the process, natabunan niya ang mga plate numbers sa mga sakyanan mao wala nako makapicture," he said.
It was at that moment, Narido said, that Dandan again gave him several “open palm straight-fingers chop” in the stomach.
He said pain hit his body and he was forced to back away.
"Gilamok na dayon ko sa ilang mga bodyguards ug nakurat ko kay naa dayon kamot nga migunit sa akong liog paghangad nako si Loloy Romualdo," he said.
This lawyer said he stood no chance of escaping Governor Loloy's strong grip on his neck as the latter's son hit him on the head.
Released
Narido said a worker from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Camiguin by a certain Ezequiel Gabutan hit him.
Narido said it was at this time that Romualdo's lawyer, Marciano Aparte Jr., came and called for his clients to stop hitting him.
"Gi-apparta dayon ni Aparte si JJ nga nagkulata nako samtang gituhog ko nila. Iya gi-ingnan nga JJ, Loy, respotohi ang abogado," he said. "Pero padayon gihapon gibogbog ko nila ug mao gibadlong ni Atty. Apara nga Loy, please paminawa pud ko ninyo."
It was at this point, Narido said that he was released from the bodyguards' grip.
He said there was then a move to grab his cellular phone but that he never released it.
Narido said Aparte then asked him where his vehicle was parked.
But before he could answer Aparte, he said, Governor Loloy shouted at him saying that he should leave immediately.
His fault
Narido said it was at that time that he walked towards his pick-up but still noticed how Congressman JJ got hold of a Batangas or Balisong.
He recalled how JJ then handed the long bladed weapon to one of their bodyguards identified as Boyboy Abbu and signaled the latter with his pointed index drawing a line on his neck from left to right.
Narido said as this all happened during broad daylight, several workers from the nearby offices saw what happened to him.
He said he has filed disqualification charges against the Romualdos and that several witnesses have come forward to help him out.
He added that a hearing is now set this May 7, 2007 for the reception of evidence with lawyer Cuevas as the presiding officer.
But Governor Loloy debunked Narido's account of what happened and even pointed out that the lawyer should even thank him and his lawyer for saving his life.
"In fact, I saved him (Narido). Kung wala pa ko ug si Atty. Aparte wala na siya," he said.
Governor Loloy narrated how it was actually Narido's fault when the latter came out of the Comelec-Camiguin office that day and suddenly drew out something from his side.
"Paglayo na siya mibalik man ug warag mi-draw ug armas siya mao kana ang nahitabo. Mao kana ang tinuod," he said. "If not for me and Atty. Aparte, he (Narido) would have been dead."
Governor Loloy said he is confident that several people who saw and heard what happened will side with him.
