Despite yesterday’s takeover by Compostela Mayor-elect Joel Quiño and his council of the municipal hall, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) still recognizes the caretaker mayor appointed by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG).
In a phone interview, Cebu Comelec provincial supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said DILG officer Jerome Gonzales remains the caretaker mayor of Compostela pending resolution of the Comelec central office’s motion for reconsideration filed by Quiño.
“They (Quino’s camp) should wait. I understand their sentiments but there is a process to be followed,” Castillano said.
He said Quiño’s lawyer should follow up their motion to the Comelec central office instead.
“I’m also waiting for the order from (the Comelec en banc in) Manila. I hope they (Quino’s camp) will understand. Do not put the law into your own hands,” Castillano said.
Quino won over former Compostela mayor Ritchie Wagas in the May 10 elections last year.
Wagas contested the election results and requested the Comelec to annul the proclamation of Quiño and his council, citing discrepancies in the election returns.
The Comelec suspended the effect of the proclamation of all elective officials in Compostela pending resolution of Wagas’s election protest.
Quiño filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc.
At the Capitol, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia called for calm between supporters of Wagas and Quiño.
She said the Compostela situation already affected the delivery of basic services in the municipality.
The governor said the Capitol is doing all it can to assist the municipality.
“As you know they are operating in a reenacted budget, and so certain items that are not appropriated for in the budget can’t be implemented,” Garcia said.
She said Gonzales visited her office last week and asked for additional dump trucks to help in the town’s garbage collection.
Garcia also said Compostela’s municipal hall workers have yet to enjoy a new salary rate owing to the current political standoff.