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Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Soc allies oppose Leyson listup in Talisay
By Garry Cabotaje
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Political maneuverings are apparent nowadays in Talisay City.
At least four village chiefs, all close political allies of Mayor Socrates “Soc” Fernandez, have filed an opposition to the application for voter’s registration of Cebu City Councilor Gabriel “Gabby” Leyson in Talisay City.
In a joint affidavit, Barangay Captains Rey Oliver Berador of Lawaan 2, Joel Nacor of Lawaan 3 and Ramil Manayon of Manipis, said Leyson, who is reportedly planning to run as Talisay mayor in next year’s polls, failed to comply with the requirements as a Talisay City resident.
“At present he is a bona fide resident of Cebu City being an elective member of the Cebu City Sangguniang Panglungsod,” their July 11 affidavit read.
Transfer
Last April, Leyson also filed an application for transfer of residence before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Talisay City and even built a “small house” in his private lot in Barangay Lagtang.
But Lagtang Barangay Captain Celiapo Cabuenas issued a separate affidavit and insisted that Leyson has not been occupying the house or frequenting its vicinity.
Cabuenas even questioned the building of the house as it lacks a barangay clearance and construction permit.
Leyson said, though, that his female office staff member tried but was given a runaround when she attempted to secure a City Hall clearance and building permit for his house in Lagtang.
The Omnibus Election Code requires six months residency of any person running for a local elective post, like the mayorship, prior to any elections.
Cabuenas said Leyson’s name has not also been found in the list of barangay residents since he was elected as village chief in Lagtang.
In a separate interview, Leyson described the barangay captains’ move as hasty and premature because City Election Officer Corazon Moran has yet to hear his application for a voter’s registration in Talisay.
“It looks like they are afraid of my candidacy. They should instead welcome it to give the Talisaynons a free hand to choose a better (mayoralty) candidate next year. They’re trying to contest my application when there is nothing to contest about,” Leyson said.
The veteran Cebu City legislator said he consulted his lawyer and even the Comelec before he filed his applications for transfer of residency and voter’s registration.
“I’m just doing my best to comply with the law. I don’t think there’s something wrong with that,” he said.
Leyson is a re-elected Cebu City councilor and a registered voter of Barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City.
He used to live, though, in the Zafra Compound at the back of the Tabunok Public Market when Talisay was still a municipality. The Leysons have properties in different areas of Talisay.
The 63-year-old Leyson suspects that a powerful hand is behind the barangay captains’ move of filing an opposition before the Comelec.
He also wondered aloud why the three other village chiefs, except Cabuenas, had submitted a joint affidavit when Barangay Lagtang is beyond their jurisdictions.
Sought for comment, Fernandez denied that he had a hand in the four barangay captains’ move, saying he was not even informed about it.
He said he could not stop the barangay captains because “it’s their discretion and I respect them for it.”
But Fernandez reiterated that he always welcomes all qualified candidates, including Leyson, who have been aspiring for the mayoralty post in Talisay.
He described Leyson as a worthy political opponent.
At present, Fernandez appears to have an upper-hand in Talisay’s politics, as majority of the 22 barangay captains are known as his loyal political allies.
Last month, the mayor swore in Manuel Cabriana as the new barangay captain in Tabunok, replacing his predecessor Adonis Bacalso, who resigned months after Tabunok councilmen filed a graft case over the missing two barangay-issued checks.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 18, 2006 issue)
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