Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Faelnar turns around, to run after all
GUADALUPE Barangay Captain Eugenio Faelnar took back his word and is now intent on seeking reelection as Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president.
What made him change his mind was the warm response and request of fellow village chiefs, most of them on their first terms, during last Satur-day’s general assembly.
He made the decision shortly before receiving the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division resolution dismissing the disqualification complaint against him for lack of merit.
Defeated candidate Salvador Solima filed the petition, arguing that Fael-nar was already on his third and last term and was therefore not qualified to run in the Oct. 29 elections.
Faelnar said, though, that his second term was interrupted, which is recognized under the Local Government Code and cited by the Comelec in its resolution.
The code states that “no barangay elective officials shall serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position” starting from the 1994 elections.
Citing the case of Lonzanida vs. Comelec, the Second Division said that while Faelnar indeed served three consecutive terms from 1994 to 2002, his term was interrupted when he was not proclaimed after the 1997 elections because of poll cases.
Faelnar started serving his term in February 1998, when the cases were dismissed, instead of June 1997.
The Second Division ignored Acting Provincial Election Officer Lionel Castillano’s recommendation favoring Solima’s petition.
In an interview yesterday afternoon, Faelnar said that Basak San Nicolas Barangay Chief and former city councilor George Rama was instrumental in forcing him to break his promise that he will not run for ABC head.
In a separate interview, Rama said he saw that Faelnar was doing a good job in the ABC, which has more than P3 million in savings, so he wanted to convince Faelnar to rethink his earlier pronouncement.
“I asked why he should not run when he committed no anomalies. If he does not seek another term, it’s like admitting the truth to the allegations,” Rama said.
Personal gains
Faelnar and ABC administrative officer Tessa Cang, Compostela town councilor, were accused of misappropriating ABC funds for personal gains.
Poison letters even circulated, but not a single barangay leader came out to openly make the allegation.
“Why should he not run again when they got suspended for protecting the ABC funds? He should listen to the barangay captains’ request,” Rama said.
He was referring to the case Faelnar and the ABC board members are facing before the Sandiganbayan for refusing to reimburse P4,300 that former ABC engineer Leah Rondez incurred as gasoline expenses in the course of her duty.
Faelnar said that if reelected, he will divide his time between the ABC and his Guadalupe constituents.
He said his chief project will be the construction of day care centers in barangays that cannot afford to build one.
He said he talked with Talamban’s Alvin Arcilla, who appeared disappointed, but said he just honored the barangay captains’ request.
Rama said they already told Mayor Tomas Os-meña, who did not object when he asked him to just stay off the ABC elections.
Anyway, he assured Osmeña that almost all the 80 barangay captains are loyal to the mayor and their dedication should not be doubted.
The mayor is going to the US on Dec. 22 to spend Christmas and the New Year there. (RHM)
