Banned contractor runs for mayor

CEBU, Philippines - A contractor who is banned in his own town of Madridejos in Bantayan Island from participating future bidding of projects is running for mayor against the son of the incumbent mayor.

Engr. Romeo Villaceran, owner of Rovilla Construction and president of Northern Cebu Commercial Fishing Operators Association, is running for mayor under One Cebu Party.

Villaceran is running against Jay dela Fuente, president of Madridejos Association of Barangay Councils and son of Mayor Salvador dela Fuente, who is now on his last term and has slid down as vice mayor under Liberal Party.

Villaceran admitted he had been supporting LP and was eyed to be the party’s standard bearer when dela Fuente was still with One Cebu Party.

In June 2014, dela Fuente joined LP, which prompted Villaceran to join One Cebu Party led by its gubernatorial candidate, Atty. Winston Garcia.   

On March 23, 2015, the council of Madridejos, in which Jay sits as an ex-officio member, passed a resolution condemning Rovilla Construction for its alleged substandard and inferior infrastructure projects implemented within the municipality.

Through the resolution, the municipality also requested the central office of the Department of Public Works and Highways to exclude Rovilla Construction from future biddings of infrastructure projects to be implemented in the municipality.

DPWH Assistant Secretary Dimas Soguilon issued a memorandum dated April 10, 2015 directing DPWH-7 director Ador Canlas to conduct consultations with the concerned local government units prior to implementation of infrastructure projects or programs in their respective areas, and to evaluate the performance of Rovilla Construction.

Last October 26, 2015, the Provincial Board passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Celestino Martinez III urging the DPWH-7 to take immediate action on the town’s request.

Martinez is an ally of the dela Fuentes.

The camp of Villaceran claimed that the move of the town council was politically motivated after rumors of his running for mayor broke out prior to the passage of the said resolution. — (FREEMAN)