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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Talisay mayor ‘not afraid’ to face Leyson in next year’s election
MAYOR Socrates Fernandez downplayed talks that Councilor Gabriel Leyson’s mayoralty bid threatened him, following his political allies’ efforts to block the Cebu City legislator’s application for voter’s registration in Talisay City.
“Wa ta mahadlok, ang mahadlok kadtong di modawat sa kapildihan. Wa man ta mahadlok nga mapildi (I’m not afraid. The only people who should fear are those who can’t accept defeat. I’m not afraid to lose),” Fernandez said.
The mayor said this amid talks that he appeared to have “chickened out” in the anticipated political clash with Leyson.
The speculations surfaced after four barangay captains filed their opposition to Leyson’s registration before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Candidacy
Observers said that instead of resorting to futile political maneuverings, Fernandez’s allies should welcome the candidacy of Leyson, who is expected to put up a good fight in the mayoralty race in next year’s polls.
Fernandez reiterated he has nothing to do with the opposition filed by Barangay Captains Rey Oliver Berador of Lawaan 2, Joel Nacor of Lawaan 3 and Ramil Manayon of Manipis.
The three village chiefs insisted in their July 11 joint affidavit that Leyson is not qualified to become a registered voter of Talisay City.
They added that Leyson cannot become a registered voter of Talisay because he is a bona fide resident of Cebu City and is even a member of the Cebu City Council.
“I was not told about it (the filed opposition). But as long as they are qualified to run, they’re free to run for the mayoralty race next year. It’s an individual’s political right,” Fernandez added.
In his application for voter’s registration, Leyson stated that he is a resident of Zone 3 in Sitio Ilang-Ilang, Barangay Lagtang.
Requirement
Leyson has built a “small house” in his property in Lagtang, apparently to comply with the Omnibus Election Code’s requirements of establishing at least six months’ residency before the scheduled local polls.
But Lagtang Barangay Captain Celiapo Cabuenas submitted to Comelec his own affidavit, where he said that Leyson has not been a resident of Talisay since he became barangay captain in 2002.
Cabuenas also said Leyson has not been seen occupying the house or frequenting the vicinity.
He also questioned the manner in which Leyson’s house was constructed because the construction began in September last year yet without a clearance from the barangay hall.
Cabuenas denied that he refused to issue the clearance, adding that Leyson’s representative only tried to secure it last March when the house was nearing completion.
“When they applied for an electrical permit at City Hall, they only came to me after the OBO (office of the building official) required them to secure a barangay clearance. But what’s the use of issuing the clearance when the house was already complete,” he added.
Cabuenas also denied that he submitted the affidavit for political reasons, saying he merely confirmed that Leyson was not a resident of Lagtang.
The lot the Lagtang Barangay Hall is occupying was donated by lawyer Teodoro Velez-Diez, who is said to be Leyson’s relative, in the early ’90s.
The family of Leyson’s mother belongs to the Velez clan that has vast properties in Talisay.
Cabuenas said Leyson’s relatives could not accuse him of being ungrateful because he only began occupying the barangay hall in 2002.
Leyson told Sun.Star Cebu earlier that he was simply complying with the Omnibus Election Code and that it is his personal decision to transfer his residency and register as a qualified voter of Talisay City. (GC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 19, 2006 issue)
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Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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