Geverola claims Capitol derailing his campaign

Political detainee Ricardo "Jigger" Geverola, who is running as an independent municipal councilor in the town of Argao, believes the Capitol refused to provide him security during his campaign so he will lose in the elections.

Earlier, Toledo Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Gaudioso Villarin ordered maximum security for Geverola in line with his campaign sorties and on election day in barangay Gutlang, Argao town, allowing Geverola to campaign from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from April 22 to May 6 and to vote on May 14 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Villarin also ordered the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, which has jurisdiction over the detainee while being incarcerated in Central Command headquarters, to provide security to Geverola during his campaign sorties and on the day of the election.

But yesterday, Capitol consultant on security matters Byron Garcia insisted that their security personnel are all Capitol employees and they are off duty on weekends while on weekdays they are on duty in their respective assignments.

Barangay Gutlang is described as NPA-infested.

But Geverola pointed out to Garcia should follow the court’s order.

"It’s only Byron’s alibi nga dili siya mo-provide og escort sa akoang kompanya because he doesn’t want me to win," Geverola said.

"Nganong magbuot pa man siya sa korte," he added.

Geverola has been in jail for three years already while facing charges for rebellion before a Danao City court, and for an arson case before a Toledo City court in connection with the burning of a bus reportedly by rebels in 2004.

Geverola insisted he is not a rebel although he admitted that he was connected with the National Democratic Front. He was first imprisoned in CPDRC but, after a series of complaints against authorities there, was moved to the CentCom stockade.

While in prison, he filed last March 27 his certificate of candidacy for councilor, making him the first political prisoner in Cebu to run for public office in the coming election.

Geverola earlier said his agenda, if he wins the election, will be "to bring the government closer to the people by promoting good and participatory governance."

He added that he will push for the holding of municipal council session in the barangays so that officials can also see the situation of the constituents. — Garry B. Lao/BRP