FIRST, people are talking about...
* SERGE O., BATO FALL; BONG RISES. A report attributed to Philippine Star says that in the Social Weather Stations survey from December 16 to 19, Cebu’s Serge Osmeña fell to #14, out of the Magic 12 among senatorial aspirants. Serge was #8-#17 (29.8%) in last September’s SWS poll. On what may his slide be blamed? It could be the repeated reports that he might be delisted because of his failure to file his statement on expenses and contributions in two past elections.
President Duterte’s allies “Bong” Go and “Bato” de la Rosa? Noticeable rise for Go, #14 (from #16 last September) and bad news for Bato, #15 (from #10 in the last previous survey).
* NOTABLES. Other interesting bits in the new survey: Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe still lead, with Villar as #1 (62% or over 37 million votes) and Poe #2 (60% or 36.4 million votes). And the two Erap Estrada sons are in the winning circle: Jinggoy Estrada (tied in #8 and #9, 34% with Koko Pimentel) and JV Ejercito (#12, 27%). Mar Roxas, defeated vice president and president bet in past two elections is #10 with 28%, followed by Imee Marcos, #11, with 27%.
No rivalry
Ombudsman-sacked Guntrano “Gungun” Gica re-assumed last August as mayor of Dumanjug, Cebu. A year ago, last year January 4, the vice mayor, Rainerio Asentista, was installed by the Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG) as acting mayor, along with Cesar Baricuatro, the No. 1 councilor, who rose to acting vice mayor. Asentista meekly yielded the mayor’s seat to Gungun, reports at the time said.
For a good reason: Asentista is on the Gica team. The quiet surrender was expected. Just like the approval given by the town council on the return of Gungun, whose party controls the Sanggunian.
DILG though, in an order served last December 27, has since reinstalled Asentista and Baricuarto, the town’s top two officials. While Asentista, ah, assented to Gungun becoming mayor again, Baricuatro fumed. The former three-term mayor had written DILG that as vice mayor, he, Baricuatro, would assume as mayor by October 15. DILG didn’t agree as Asentista is still the lawful successor to Gungun.
DILG restored the Asentista-Baricuatro tandem, believing that the Court of Appeals decision favoring Gungun was still not final and executory. Its sense of pride was apparently pricked: since it was DILG that implemented the ombudsman order, DILG should also implement the court order.
A different situation
Dumanjug is not the first local government to experience the situation of having two mayors at the same time. And won’t be the last, as long as claimants to the same position belong to rival groups or parties.
But it’s a scenario different from the usual. In Dumanjug, the acting mayor installed by DILG is a political ally of the other mayor. It would’ve been different if it were Baricuatro, the No. 1 councilor, were the vice mayor who became mayor.
Baricuatro has assailed Gungun’s assumption without DILG okay as an act of usurpation, formally expressing his interest to act as mayor instead.
Gungun calls the shots
Two mayors but most likely the “lawful” mayor (from DILG’s position) will accede to the other mayor’s wishes. In effect, Gungun may still be running the town hall, contrary to DILG’s intent.
Even if on paper it would be Asentista’s signatures that are recognized by the municipal departments and other government units and agencies, he would be taking commands from Gungun.
Asentista filed a certificate of candidacy for Cebu Provincial Board member but as an elected official he is not considered resigned. So he keeps his position in Dumanjug until June 30.
The two mayors can greet each other jovially and in high spirits. And the town hall wouldn’t be in that state of discord and tension if it were run by two rival politicians.
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