CONFLICTING versions were immediately raised in mainstream and social media about who had Ermita Barangay Captain Imok Rupinta killed the other night.
One version, for instance the former mayor named by Digong as a drug lord protector, peddled the ridiculous idea that politics was the cause. The other pointed to illegal drugs.
Some insist Rupinta was an anti-drug crusader. However, more believe otherwise. After all, Rupinta was suspended for failing to help PDEA. Barangay Ermita also used to be the haven of Yawa Secretaria.
Nevertheless, it would be best if we wait for the official announcement and results of the police investigation.
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The political conflict in Tuburan town has taken on larger significance since OPAV made former Liberals a significant force inside PDP-Laban in Cebu.
Proving he is not a pushover, Mayor Aljun Diamante won a 60-day temporary restraining order against the implementation of challenger Daphne Lagon’s electoral protest.
To recall, One Cebu’s Rep. Gwen Garcia has pushed Lagon to be the PDP-Laban party boss in Tuburan town. This meant the entry of Diamante’s group shall be subject to her approval. After all, she is about to assume the position of mayor.
However, Diamante commands the loyalty of majority of mayors in Cebu province being the head of the League of Mayor of the Philippines (LMP). Usec Mike Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Visayas (OPAV) and Bisaya Na Pud needed both the support of One Cebu and Diamante in engineering the massive oath-taking show last week.
This led to that amusing image of vehicles carrying the respective warring supporters of both Diamante and Lagon from Tuburan to Plaza Independencia parked side by side.
Despite Dino’s caper, pushing Diamante to the sidelines would have been easier had Lagon taken over as mayor of Tuburan. But Diamante pulled off his 60-day TRO surprise.
Expect this development to sharpen battle lines, not only in Tuburan, between the former Liberals and One Cebu inside PDP-Laban.
Of course, Rep. Garcia needs to consolidate her dominant political position inside PDP-Laban like winning over her Cebu colleagues at the Lower House.
This developed because OPAV placed the image of unity more important than ironing out divisive kinks first. PR was given priority over substance. Igo lang gipintalan ang huyang nga pundasyon.
I trust the leadership of silent worker PDP-Laban Cebu president Jojo Dizon and regional chief Noel Felongco to, nevertheless, internally address the situation due in time.
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Congratulations to my Sun.Star family. We are celebrating today the paper’s 35th anniversary. Cheers!