Robredo to COMELEC: Settle Compostela row before yearend

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said he urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to settle the election dispute between Compostela, Cebu Mayor-elect Joel Quiño and mayoralty candidate Gilbert Wagas before the end of the month.

“I cannot dictate to the Comelec but we already manifested to them the urgency and we really hope that they settle this soon,” he said.

The concern of Robredo, who was here in Cebu last Tuesday for a number of commitments, is the remainder of the term for the proclaimed winners to serve.

“By the end of December half of the term has been already consumed and you know, if you take over with only half of the term remaining, it might be difficult to show what you can do,” Robredo said.

Currently, DILG-7 Director Ananias Villacorta serves as the caretaker mayor of the town. He succeeded former DILG-7 director Pedro Noval who is now assigned for the same position in Region 8.

Robredo said they are regularly notifying the Comelec that Villacorta is still the mayor of the town.

“Let’s just perform our duty while there is no directive yet,” the DILG secretary called on the Comelec.

Villacorta himself had to tap either the provincial or municipal DILG officer of Compostela as he cannot assume as full-time caretaker mayor.

The Comelec may now proceed with the recanvassing of votes after the Commission En Banc recently granted the motion of Wagas to transfer to Manila the recanvassing of votes in last year’s elections.

The Comelec also granted the request to create a new board of canvassers. — (FREEMAN)