Noval wants Compostela department heads to sit as town councilors for now

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Manila is studying the legal implication of the proposal of Compostela officer-in-charge Pedro Noval to ap-point the department heads of the Compostela municipal hall to be its interim municipal councilors.

Noval, who is also the DILG-7 director, said that he submitted last Monday his proposal to to have eight of the 13 department heads of the town's municipal hall act as municipal councilors while the election protest between two camps is being resolved by the Commission on Elections.

However, during a follow-up last Thursday Noval said that their central office is still studying its legal implications.

Noval said that if his proposal will be given the go signal, this will not disrupt the functions of these department heads since they will only meet every Saturday for their sessions.

Noval said that the officials may also choose from among themselves who can be acting mayor. 

He explained that he believed that these department heads will be neutral as they are not politicians.

He said these department heads will continue to be councilors until the Comelec resolves the election dispute between the camps of former Mayor Ritchie Wagas and mayor-elect Joel Quiño.

He added that up to now he is still looking for someone who can replace him as OIC of the town because he also has to function as DILG regional director. Finding someone is especially difficult for him as he said whoever he recommends is criticized by each camp as being affiliated with the other.

Some residents in the town are complaining that the lack of a chief executive there is hampering the delivery of basic services. (FREEMAN)