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Opinion

Mayor Elias S. Gumera, Boljoon and Chief of Police Gregorio Y. Romero

CEBUPEDIA - Clarence Paul Oaminal - The Freeman

Mayor Elias S. Gumera served the longest in the Municipality of Boljoon. He was Mayor from 1946 to 1967, earlier to that he was Municipal President from 1918 to 1928. A street is named after him in Boljoon, Cebu.

Gregorio Y. Romero, who was appointed Chief of Police of Boljoon on January 23, 1954 was suspended by Mayor Gumera for alleged serious irregularities on August 16, 1962. On November 16, 1962 the Municipal Council approved a resolution finding Chief Romero of the charges against him and dismissed from the police force.

Chief Romero appealed his dismissal to the Commissioner of the Civil Service. One of the charges against Chief Romero was his refusal to file charges in a complaint by one of its residents. Chief Romero argued that he being the Chief of Police and Deputy of the Provincial Fiscal he has the power to determine whether a case is to be filed in court or not.

Chief Romero through counsel sent a letter to Mayor Gumera on December 14, 1962 demanded for his immediate reinstatement.

Chief Romero went to the Court of First Instance and questioned his dismissal. The Court of First Instance granted his petition and the Mayor and the Council was ordered to reinstate Romero as Chief of Police. The order was issued on January 26, 1963.

Mayor Gumera went to the Supreme Court together with the town treasurer and council. They were assisted by Romeo B. Carin, a lawyer from Dalaguete who was admitted to the Bar on March 9, 1957 (there is another Atty. Carin, with the first name Samuel, he became a lawyer ahead of Romeo, the former was admitted to the Bar on January 18, 1954) and Atty. Ananias Maribao. Mayor Gumera represented himself.

The Supreme Court on March 29, 1963 overruled the ruling of the Court of First Instance and said that the dismissal of the Chief of Police was valid. Gregorio was replaced by Pablo Romero as Chief of Police.

The house of Chief Romero still stands today. It was built in the 1920's with "Tugas" panel and nipa roofing. It is now the residence of Pascual Feguera.

During the American Occupation (1900 to 1934) the following served as Boljoon's Town President: Benito Estella, Cornelio Nacario, Casimero Niero, Domingo Niero (D. Niero Street is named after him), Patricio Niero, Hilario Tanato, Onofre Nuyare and Nabor Derama (N. Deramas Street is named after him).

In 1965 the following served as its town officials: Elias B. Gumera, Mayor, Amancio Estavilla, Vice Mayor, Simeon C. Tanato, Municipal Secretary, Santiago N. Medida, Judge, Valeriano C. Tan, Treasurer, Pablo Romero, Chief of Police, Dra. Purificacion Labitan, Health Officer.

Town Councilors: Jose Derama, Pomposo Pepina, Vicente Estella, Jr., Doroteo Sesaldo, Miguel Alvarado and Ismael Fidellaga.

[email protected]

 

 

AMANCIO ESTAVILLA

ANANIAS MARIBAO

CHIEF

CHIEF OF POLICE

CHIEF ROMERO

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

MAYOR

MAYOR GUMERA

PABLO ROMERO

ROMERO

SUPREME COURT

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