Thursday, April 12, 2007 Cadungog stays in province office, considered absent from Toledo post
ELECTION official Edwin Cadungog showed up at the Comelec Cebu provincial office yesterday, which raised some speculations that he was holding on to his post as provincial election supervisor.
But Cadungog, whose transfer to Toledo City took effect last Tuesday, clarified that he was only there to attend to matters that need his signature, such as the daily time record of employees for the month of March.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Legal Officer Lionel Castillano, who replaced Cadungog, did not make an issue out of Cadungog’s presence.
“This is a public office. Anybody can be here,” he said.
Cadungog also explained that he will assume the post in Toledo City if the Comelec en banc will uphold the order of his transfer, which was signed only by Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra.
Cadungog is of the opinion that he can be transferred only by virtue of a resolution from the same body that designated him as acting provincial election supervisor in 2004.
The Comelec en banc is set to convene today, according to Cadungog.
Comelec 7 Director Rene Buac, in a separate interview, said Cadungog is considered absent yesterday because of his failure to report to his new assignment.
But if the en banc will uphold the transfer order and Cadungog will still refuse to hold office in Toledo, then he will be cited for insubordination and abandonment of office, Buac said.
“He should have reported to Toledo and await the en banc order there,” further said
The revamp of Comelec officials, Buac earlier said, is “a normal procedure” during an election period.
But in Lapu-Lapu City, Acting Mayor Norma Patalinjug is asking for the relief of city election officer for being partisan.
Patalinjug accused Election Officer Ann Janette Chua-Hu Lamban gave voters, perceived to be Patalinjug supporters, a hard time during registration last year. She said a number of them were not able to register.
Patalinjug described suspended Mayor Arturo Radaza’s supporters as “hawod” during registration as Comelec officers entertained them first.
Sixth District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Pata-linjug’s Kampi partymate, agreed as the city can only have an honest election if Lamban is removed.
But Lamban, in a separate interview, denied the accusations.
She pointed out that she is not the only election officer in Central Visayas who is accused of being biased, as this is common to officers like her.
“Why will they make accusations when I am only doing my job,” Lamban said.
Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong also complained against Lamban, for her alleged failure to provide a statement of votes (SOV) he earlier requested.
Lamban admitted that she “inadvertently” sent all SOV copies to Manila right after the 2004 election, without retaining her office’s copy.
She also sent to the Comelec main office the diskette containing the list of voters and the clustering of precincts.
Maambong also alleged that 60 percent of Lapu-Lapu voters have no IDs, so it is possible for an outsider to vote in the city and vote more than once.
He also raised doubts on Lamban’s clustering of polling precincts.
In reaction, Lamban said the clustering of precincts is a directive from Comelec and the shortage of voters IDs is a problem nationwide.
Like other election officials in Cebu, Talisay City Election Officer Corazon Moran has been transferred.
But Moran, who has been serving Talisay City for 21 years, said her transfer to Argao town in southern Cebu will only be temporary. She will return to her old post after the May 14 polls.
As stated in his memorandum order, Buac directed Moran to report to Argao on April 2 yet.
Moran, however, told Sun.Star Cebu that she failed to assume her new post immediately because she had to attend to some unfinished business. This included the transfer of registration of public school teachers who will take care of the poll precincts this May.
Lawyer Gallardo Escobar, the election officer of Barili town, will take over Moran’s post in Talisay, while Argao Election Officer Delilah Fuentes will replace Escobar. (KNT/OCP/GC)
