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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Festival sets aside political woes
CEBU CITY -- Not even the looming threat of seeing their top two elected officials ousted from power stopped townsfolk of Daanbantayan from showcasing their talent and culture through the Haladaya Festival.
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At least 14 contingents from the different barangays danced in the streets in colorful costumes. After their street dancing, they later performed dances that depicted various themes.
The contingent from Barangay Talisay was later proclaimed winner in the street dancing-Kabataan category. They went home with P50,000 cash and a trophy.
Prizes were also given out for the best in costume and best in street dancing winners.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who graced the festivity along with Representative Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district), lauded the local government, saying that despite the political tension, "people are united as one in culture and festival."
Mayor Sun Shimura also declared that Saturday's festival was a success, despite the current political conflict. He said that with their hard work, the celebration pushed through peacefully.
'One Daanbantayan'
"Let us unite and promote one Cebu and one Daanbantayan," Shimura said.
Shimura and his mother, Vice Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot, however, admitted that the political crisis the town is facing has caused divisions among residents.
Still, Shimura maintained that he and his mother are the winners in the 2007 elections, and not their rivals Engineer Augusto Corro and Jose de Leon Jr.
Corro and de Leon chose not to take part in the festivities, citing security reasons.
The Corro camp has since asked Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Marigomen to implement his decision declaring them the real winners.
In opposing this move, Shimura and Loot warned that removing them from office would "disrupt public services" and cause "confusion in running the affairs of the local government."
"What happens if, on appeal, the findings of the trial court are reversed and the protestant is likewise unseated, and the protestee is re-installed?" Shimura and Loot said in their opposition.
'Good reasons'
But Corro, through his sister-lawyer Liza Corro, said there are "good reasons" for the court to already implement its decision.
Attorney Corro also denied that Shimura and Loot were not given due process, saying they have even exhausted arguments granted to them by the court.
"The delay, if there was any, was due to protestees' fault. They cannot be asking for period of time to file their comment and opposition, and then later on alleged that the period of time for issuance of the special order granting the writ of execution had already elapsed," said Engineer Corro in his eight-page motion.
He also criticized Loot for her allegedly "inciting and threatening" statement which he said is not just "imagined but clearly real and should (not) be taken lightly."
He attached a clipping of a Sun.Star Cebu story that quoted Loot as saying they would not help Corros' supporters "if they will insist we are fake."
"The foregoing is just an example of how the public interest is now greatly affected by the ruling," said Corro.
Attorney Corro hoped that the court would resolve the case next week and issues a special order directing the clerk of court to issue a writ of execution.
For his part, Salimbangon advised the Loots to remain calm, saying nothing will happen to the election protest filed by Corro and de Leon against them. (GMD of Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (August 31, 2008 issue)
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