The Compostela impasse stays indefinitely

One got amused by the dialogue of radio commentator Tony “Erap” Avila and partner Arnel Bacalan over the childishness of Compostela OIC/DILG Director Pedro Noval. Witty “Erap” Avila hit it right on the head – when egged on by Arnel quoting Noval as proudly saying “maluoy ko sa akong town” as he leaves his post – twitted: “Intawon sad no, maora’g anaay usang Compostelanhon nga mawili niya.”

 The nightmare of Compostela has become a “major” and lingering failure of governance in the local government annals. For one, where else has the official proclamation of elected officials been aborted, on say so of just one Comelec Commissioner who suspended the proclaimed officials; thus, with no elected officials to govern? Where else has the post-election protest treated as regular election contest and the proclaimed officials not allowed to “sit” until the post-election protest shall have been decided against the protestees?

 With the serious “impasse” not yet been resolved, as a bonafide Compostelanhon, one is frustrated and concerned, that the unresolved vacuum” is left gaping.  To the Compostela folk who are intelligent, decent, sensitive to what is right and wrong, and even those with low EQ but rich in common sense, this is a very serious issue.

 Noval only happens to be a square peg in a round hole, or vice-versa. He is just an “incident” to the problem. The question is, he under-estimates the townsfolk whom he “tickles” with denigrating comments. He over-estimates himself as if “indispensable” to the town, like, “I’m a director, not a mayor, and I’m much superior to a town mayor; so, call me a ‘director’.”

 What has Noval done to span the 1 year and 4 months vacuum reckoned from the May 2010 general elections? Nothing at all, with no action, or any movement. His boss, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, promised aloud over the radio during the forced “take-over” of the municipal building by proclaimed Mayor Joel Quiño’s group, to make strong representations with the Comelec to resolve the matter. And yet, it appears all hot air. Had the DILG-7 made further follow-ups with Robredo? Absolutely none, otherwise, Noval would have so boasted.

 Now, on the Cebu Comelec’s side, have they made personal follow-ups or communicated with their Manila Office over their requested guidelines on the recanvassing? Comelec Manila has resolved to recanvass the election results some months back. The Cebu Election Director, or Provincial Supervisor, or the Comelec Registrar, has been silent. What gives, gentlemen? Let it be stressed that final resolution of the virtual governance anarchy in Compostela has been caused by now retired Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer; nonetheless, it’s now the onus of the Comelec en banc under Chairman Jose Brillantes, Jr. whose further inaction amounts to gross criminal negligence.

 And quite eerily strange too, is the silence from the side of Rep. “Red” Durano. Has he been making “connections” with the Comelec? If so, what’s the latest, even at this late? One may even respectfully prod Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale who hails from the 5th District, to take cognizance, as well.

 Likewise, one is perplexed why Governor Gwen Garcia appears to treat the problem with the proverbial ten feet pole. Considering the usual concern of the lady governor over important events in the province – Compostela is a town belonging to Cebu, please – one pleads to the good governor to lift a hand to appease the confused townsfolk.

 If it be true that a “big fish” national official has been “behind” the alleged machinations resulting in the scandalous impasse, can’t the political subalterns of President NoynoyAquino, say, gubernatorial candidate Junjun Davide, move to “correct” somehow the big anarchy now?

 In recap, one doesn’t give a hoot on whoever of the contending parties would eventually win or lose. It’s not only the voters of either party who bear the burden of waiting, but above all, it’s the entire constituency of Compostela who are made the sacrificial martyrs of the impasse.