SC urged: Resolve Singson poll disqualification case

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur   - The Supreme Court has been urged to now resolve the disqualification case against Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson.

The complainant in the case, lawyer Bertrand Baterina, who lost to Singson in the May 2013 elections, made the appeal in an urgent motion filed with the high tribunal.

Baterina is asking the SC to remove the son of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson as a member of the House of Representatives because he was convicted of drug trafficking by a Hong Kong court in 2011 and was imprisoned for more than a year in the Chinese territory.

Baterina filed his urgent motion to resolve the case after Singson submitted his answer to the petition to unseat him. The SC twice extended the period for the congressman to file his comment.

In his motion, Baterina said Singson raised no new points in his answer that needed to be further elaborated.

He said all of the issues raised in the case have been fully discussed by both parties in pleadings before the Commission on Elections, the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal  and the SC.

 “There is manifest urgency in the resolution and disposition of this case, for what is being held at stake is not only the position (of congressman) per se, but more importantly, the spirit and real intent of the law and the will of the electorate,” he said in his motion.

“Hence, any delay in the disposition of the case would not only prejudice the petitioner, but more so, the electorate of the first district of Ilocos Sur,” he added.

Singson has argued that he cannot be disqualified, and therefore unseated, on the basis of his drug conviction by a foreign court.         

He will complete his first year as representative of his district next month.

In the past, there have been winners who assumed office when their term is about to end.

Former Pasig City congressman Noel Cariño took his oath of office the day the 12th Congress adjourned. He was a lawmaker for only a day.

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Singson welcomes rival’s SC petition to oust him from post

By Teddy Molina

VIGAN CITY – Ilocos Sur first district Rep. Ronald Singson Thursday welcomed the disqualification case filed by his rival in the congressional race, Bertrand Baterina, before the Supreme Court, but said he has not yet received a notice from the tribunal to comment on the case.

SC clerk of court Enriqueta Vidal has sent out a notice stating that the tribunal, acting on Baterina’s petition for certiorari, “resolved, without giving due course to the petition, to require the respondents to comment thereon 10 days upon receipt hereof.”

“My lawyers are confident that they can defend and uphold the legitimacy of my candidacy and that it was and is valid,“Singson said.

“Ever since the issue was brought to light by the media, we have been waiting for the notice from the high court so that our lawyers could air our side,” he said

Singson said they would submit their comment once they receive the notice, although his offices here and at the House of Representatives in Quezon City have yet to receive a copy of it.

Singson said it is “presumptuous” for Baterina to have himself declared winner by the SC supposedly for being the “lone qualified candidate” in the election.

“He should first have himself voted upon with a majority of the votes by our constituents before claiming victory. It’s sweeter to become a congressman that way,” Singson said.

The Supreme Court had asked Singson to comment on a petition to disqualify him as a member of the House of Representatives for his drug conviction by a Hong Kong court in 2011.

According to a notice issued by Vidal to the parties, the tribunal, acting on a petition for certiorari by Bertrand Baterina, “resolved, without giving due course to the petition, to require the respondents to comment thereon within 10 days from notice hereof.”

Baterina filed the petition after the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) dismissed his complaint for Singson’s disqualification for having been filed “out of time,” meaning beyond the 15-day deadline from the time Singson was proclaimed on May 14, 2013.

Baterina said he was seeking the SC’s intervention because the HRET and the Comelec have failed to enforce the Election Code.

He said the election law explicitly bars a person convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude from seeking public office within five years from his conviction.

He said the Comelec refused to resolve the disqualification case he filed against Singson despite having sufficient time to do so.

The Comelec passed the case on to the HRET, which it said had acquired jurisdiction over it with Singson’s proclamation.

Baterina said the HRET, instead of dismissing his complaint on a technicality, should have confronted the more substantial issue of his opponent’s disqualification on the ground of his drug conviction in Hong Kong.

“An offense involving moral turpitude is defined as everything which is done contrary to justice, modesty or good morals… In Office of the Court Administrator vs Vicente Librado, the Supreme Court categorically stated that drug possession is a crime involving moral turpitude,” he said.

When his disqualification case was pending with the Comelec, Singson said the poll body could not disqualify him based on his conviction by a foreign court.

But Baterina, in his certiorari petition before the SC, said the tribunal and the Comelec, in at least two cases, have ruled that the election law does not distinguish between a conviction by a local or a foreign court.

In one case, he said a candidate for governor was disqualified due to conviction of a much lesser offense – insurance fraud – in the United States.

He also said Singson’s certificate of candidacy was defective and void from the start, as it was not sworn to before a qualified officer.

He asked the SC to declare him winner, claiming he was the “lone qualified candidate” for the congressional seat in their province’s first district.

Singson returned to the country in early 2012 after serving time for more than a year in a Hong Kong jail for drug trafficking.

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HRET reopens electoral case against Singson

VIGAN CITY -- The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) has reopened the electoral case against Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, who was convicted of drug trafficking by a Hong Kong court in 2011.

The reopening was prompted by the filing of a motion for reconsideration by lawyer Bertrand Baterina asking the tribunal to reverse its dismissal of the complaint on a mere technicality.

The tribunal has thrown out the case against Singson on the ground that it was filed “out of time,” beyond the 15-day deadline counted from the time he was proclaimed last May 14.

The quo warranto petition, which challenges the proclaimed winner’s qualification to hold an elective office, was filed on June 27.

In contrast, an election protest questions the way a candidate won.

In his motion for reconsideration, Baterina, who lost to Singson, cited Supreme Court (SC) rulings under which he said a petition questioning the qualification of a congressman does not prescribe.

He said it is public knowledge that his opponent was sent to jail by a Hong Kong court for drug trafficking.

He said Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that “a person who was sentenced by final judgment of conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude is disqualified for elective position.”

“An offense involving moral turpitude is defined as everything which is done contrary to justice, modesty or good morals… In Office of the Court Administrator vs Vicente Librado, the Supreme Court categorically stated that drug possession is a crime involving moral turpitude,” he said.

He argued that since the election law bars Singson from seeking an elective office due to his drug conviction, his certificate of candidacy was not valid from the beginning.

As for the time element in the filing of his quo warranto petition, Baterina asked the HRET to revise its rules in light of a recent SC decision that the House electoral tribunal acquires jurisdiction over a congressional winner only when such winner has been proclaimed, has taken his oath of office before the Speaker in open session and has assumed office on June 30 following his election.

He argued that under such a decision, the earliest the HRET acquired jurisdiction over a congressional winner in last May’s elections was on June 30.

In fact, he said he filed his petition three days ahead of the time when the tribunal’s jurisdiction over disqualification cases and electoral protests involving House members started.

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Lawmaker wants b’gay elections abolished

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY   – Saying that the last barangay elections were futile and sparked political rivalry among relatives, 1BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello said Monday he will file a bill for the abolition of the village polls.

Bello said he will propose to give the power to appoint village officials to the local chief executives.

He said the village elections entail expenses and caused division among families, as he noted that most of the casualties in the politically related violence were family members.

“Instead of promoting strong family ties, the barangay elections are dividing our people for the sake of partisan politics,” he said.

Bello said it would be better if the mayors would be given the power to appoint village officials in order to ensure that his programs are supported in the grassroots level.

He downplayed the possibility that the mayors might abuse the power and perpetuate themselves in office, saying  it would be up to the voters to decide on that.

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Oct. 28 barangay polls set – Comelec 20 nabbed for violating gun ban; 19 guns taken

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Elections said the gun ban is on in time for barangay elections on Oct. 28 even as 19 firearms were confiscated and 20 persons apprehended   

           

Cordillera regional police director for operations Senior Supt. Ulysses Abellera and Col. Paul Atal of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army,  said security preparation were in place and that they will do their best  to assure peaceful and orderly barangay election.

This, as the Comelec said it is set for the Oct. 28 barangay election in the Cordillera Administrative Region even as the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines  spokesmen said they were  confident of a peaceful and orderly polls in the region.

Comelec-CAR regional director Julius Torres said preparations for the barangay elections were set even as trainings for board of election tellers were earlier scheduled,

Torres said there were about 74 barangays regionwide identified by the PNP as areas of concern.

But he said they were not anticipating any problem as he expressed his confidence on ability of the PNP and AFP in controlling any untoward situation  even in Abra where majority of the concerned barangays  are  located.

In Benguet, Comelec provincial supervisor Julia Elenita Capuyan said election materials will be delivered  earlier and will reach the different barangays  including the in far flung areas  ready  for election day.

Capuyan said election paraphernalia would be delivered starting Oct. 3.

Municipal election officers in Bakun and Kibungan towns earlier  requested that election paraphernalia be delivered to the municipalities earlier  so that  these  would be distributed  and   reach  the  barangays in time  for  election day.

Several barangays in Benguet are accessible  passing thru La Union and Ilocos Sur.

Some barangays can  only be reached by foot or walking several hours through mountainous.

Meanwhile,  Benguet provincial police director Senior Supt. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said additional troops would be deployed in four municipalities of the province, particularly in the tri-boundaries of Ilocos Sur and La Union, to ensure safe and peaceful elections due to sightings of New People’s Army.

He said police troops including the Provincial Public Safety Company will augment troops deployed by the Philippine Army this election period to ensure safety of barangays on watch list of the Comelec. 

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NPA fielding bets in b’gay polls in Region 1 – police

SAN FERNANDO, La Union  – The New People’s Army (NPA) has fielded some of its members to run as village chiefs or councilmen in the Oct. 28 barangay elections in the Ilocos region, police said.

Senior Supt. Sterling Raymund Blanco, intelligence chief of the Region 1 police, disclosed in a briefing of election and law enforcement officials at Camp Florendo here Oct. 18 at least 23 supposed NPA members taking part in the village polls are being monitored in the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union.

“Some of these (NPA members) are incumbents,” Blanco said.       

To prevent the NPA from taking advantage of the barangay elections, either by penetrating local governments or staging terrorist activities, police and military officials have prepared a tight security plan.

Chief Supt. Ricardo Marquez, Region 1 police director, said police, along with the Army and Navy, have beefed up security measures during and after the barangay elections to ensure peace and order.

Col. Vic Castro of the Army’s 72nd Infantry Brigade said they would assist policemen in tightly monitoring the elections to thwart any NPA attacks.

“The NPA might take advantage of the election period because this is the best time to stage an ambush or any kind of sabotage, including (attacks on) vital installations,” Castro said.   

Authorities, along with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), have identified 171 barangays in Region 1 as areas of concern. They also took note of the presence of 14 criminal groups and two private armies.

Lawyer Noli Pipo, Comelec regional director, sought tight security for election personnel and teachers serving in the polls.

“We all know that there is tension, intense political rivalries in the barangay level because those (pitted against each other) are relatives, families, friends and neighbors. We need security for protection,” Pipo said. 

Overall, Pipo said he is confident that barangay elections in Region 1 would be peaceful and orderly.

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214 C. Luzon villages on AFP poll watchlist

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Armed Forces’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), which will assist the police in the Oct. 28 barangay elections in Central Luzon, has identified 214 barangays as “areas of concern” in the region.

Col. Ernesto Torres, operations chief of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, said in a Philippine Information Agency-sponsored forum here Thursday that 61 of these barangays are in eight towns in Aurora and 153 in 29 barangays in Nueva Ecija.

For the barangay polls, Nolcom will deploy 443 field units and 518 augmentation forces in various parts of Central Luzon, Torres said.

This would be on top of quick response forces comprising 147 soldiers from the 7th ID, 518 from augmentation forces, and 685 from field units, or a total of 1,350, to be activated during the elections, he added.

Torres said only one election-related killing has so far been reported in Central Luzon.

He identified the victim as Rogelio Gayla, an incumbent councilman in Barangay San Nicolas in Victoria, Tarlac, who was stabbed dead by a rival last Oct. 10.

Torres said that Nolcom’s 702nd Infantry Brigade would assist the Commission on Elections and the police in the village polls in Aurora and Nueva Ecija, while the 703rd IB would assist in the rest of Central Luzon, including Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, and Bulacan.

Torres said communist groups have fielded candidates in the barangay polls, adding though that the Communist Party is no longer illegal. 

“There is nothing contrary to law if communists run for barangay elections, for as long as there is no violence involved, and they do not carry firearms,” he said.

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Baguio village aspirants show ‘ideal’ way in barangay polls

EDITORIAL

Politicians could follow the lead of Barangay Pinsao Pilot Project in Baguio for peaceful elections without having to spend much.

They can win without money, political machinery and the Commission on Elections would have less to monitor for cheating, violence or over-spending. 

Shameless politicians spend a lot of money and resources by giving away free t-shirts, tokens,  food and drinks  as "bribes" to win.

But in Pinsao Pilot Project it is different. Even the poor can run because everyone is given equal political campaign rights and the campaign need not be expensive.

The barangay election campaign period in this barangay started without a big bang or festivities as compared to  other areas in  nearby barangays and the rest of the country where one is greeted by fireworks, parades  and  posters indiscriminately  posted on every nook and cranny not even sparing tree trunks and branches.

In a covenant signed   by candidates for punong barangay and kagawad, they agreed to protect the environment by prohibiting posters and other related paraphernalia to be pasted or hung along posts, walls and trees.

The signing was witnessed by respected elder and kagawad Virginia Malag who will finish her term this year. The candidates also agreed to be non-partisan giving equal rights by putting all names of candidates in alphabetical order in a specially designed posting board divided equally among the candidates  which was later put up in six  designated areas within the barangay approved by the Commission on Elections.

Their agreement included prohibition of giving bribes, T-shirts, tokens, gifts or food and drinks to voting residents.

Joining drinking binges with their constituents was not allowed including campaigning "under the influence" of liquor to “earn the respect” of the community.Posters of candidates were not allowed.

Incumbent PB Sotero Dulayca, former PB Edgar Kapawen Sr. and incumbent kagawad Patrick Dangatan, all running for the top position headed signing of the covenant participated in by 15 aspiring kagawads.

They agreed there shall be no political mudslinging and  "polyetos" will not exceed one-half of a regular coupon bond and the barangay hall’s computers, materials, equipment among others would be off limits for use by candidates including incumbents.

To maintain harmonious and peaceful elections, the candidates also agreed to campaign together  at the same time during house-to-house sorties. 

"We think this is the most honourable way to campaign. Less expense on our part while earning respect of constituents," said a candidate.

Need we say more?

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Fariñas son joins Laoag village polls

By Teddy Molina

LAOAG CITY – A son of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas has filed his certificate of candidacy for chairman of Barangay 16 here in the Oct. 28 polls.

Fariñas’ son Carlos, who is married to Vigan City Mayor Eva Medina’s daughter Janina, ran for Laoag City vice mayor in the elections last May against his uncle, former city mayor Michael Fariñas, but later withdrew his candidacy.

In quitting the vice mayoral race, Carlos said he gave way to his uncle to preserve unity in their family.

There are speculations that he would soon gain a foothold in the city government as councilor after his anticipated victory as village chief and subsequent election as president of the association of barangay chairmen, political observers said.     

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Mayhem in filing COCs for barangay polls

EDITORIAL

It was mayhem in most Commission on Elections offices nationwide aspirants for barangay positions filed their certificates of candidacy(COCs) for the Oct. 28 barangay elections.

            

Some were not able to file their COCs particularly in urban areas like Baguio where there was only one logbook where they could register. Hundreds flocked the Baguio Comelec office and even camped in its vicinity as early as 3 a.m. but did not make the 5 p.m. deadline due to the long queue.

            

Basing from news reports, the scene was replicated nationwide. Aspirants were griping the Comelec should have had more logbooks and personnel to attend to them so they could register. They said Comelec officials actually work only during elections but couldn’t get the job right.    

Comelec officials meanwhile said a directive from their national office mandated them to register aspirants in only one logbook (per Comelec office.)

            

Couldn’t the Comelec have had more than one logbook for easier, faster and efficient registration of  barangay aspirants? Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca said their local offices nationwide have received a total of 57,674 COCs for barangay chairmen and 467,196 from those running for barangay kagawad (councilors).

.           

Around 700,000 filed of COCs as of Thursday, the deadline for submission. The Comelec meanwhile warned those who have already filed their COCs against engaging in premature campaigning.

The Comelec’s legal department said they would start sending out notices to those who have put up posters prior to the official start of the campaign period.

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Barangay poll day declared holiday

President Benigno Aquino III has declared October 28 a special non-working holiday to pave the  way for the barangay elections.

Aquino has signed Proclamation 656 last week, declaring the election day a nationwide holiday.

"It is important to give the people the fullest opportunity to participate in the said elections and exercise their right to vote," the Proclamation said.

On Monday, Malacañang announced that there will be at least 18 non-working holidays next year.

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Abra b’gay head slain after voters’ meeting

PIDIGAN, Abra -- Another village leader, this time, in this town was gunned down Tuesday morning after attending a voters' education meeting.

Police said barangay chairman Arnulfo Madriaga, 54, of barangay San Diego, Pidigan town  came from a Commission on Elections-led “Voters Education” meeting at the Pidigan Elementary School when waylaid by still unidentified gunmen at around 11:15 Tuesday morning.

Police said the village leader together with a barangay tanod Alfredo Barroga Blando, 27, were heading home aboard a motorcycle when assassins also on board another motorcycle without plate number tailed them and opened fire along barangay Pangtod, also in Pidigan.

The village leader sustained several bullet wounds from a Cal. 45 gun instantly killing him.

Probers said they found  12 fired cartridge cases of caliber .45 and one fired bullet of the same caliber where the village leader was waylaid.

Abra police director Sr. Supt. Benjamin Lusad said they have yet to determine the motive and identity of the assailant. 

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Why Pinoys are overzealous to register as voters

UP NORTH

Jun R. Guiang

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte --It will be a sad story to remember in the history of Comelec registration of voters about the reported stampede due to unruly crowd that marred the said event last July 31, 2013. In Metro Manila and nearby major cities, a mammoth crowd of registrants flocked in Comelec offices to beat the July 31, 2013 deadline. National television footages showed  a sea of humanity that swelled in the last day of poll registration in Manila and Quezon City.

                                                                                                      xxx

There were reports of unruly crowd due to the long queue of people who wanted to register as voters for the forthcoming barangay (village) and Sanggunian Kabataan (youth) elections in October this year. At the height of the registration period, the crowd (packed like canned sardines at the gate of the registration centers) turned rowdy, yelling and pushing each other to get in that led to confusion and  stampede. Police could hardly control the mob. Several victims were reportedly hurt. Some women registrants collapsed and carried in stretchers by first-aid rescuers  due to dizziness and exhaustion. It may  be noted that most of these registrants belong to the masses such as urban settlers, farmers, fishermen, laborers, housewives and jobless people.

                                                                                                       xxx

In Laoag City, the Comelec office also reported a queue of late registrants till night, said lawyer John Paul Martin, city election registrar. Many students  even excused themselves from their schools in an effort to register as new voters. Others skipped lunch as they waited for their turn to go inside the registration room. As special priority registrants, some pregnant mothers and senior citizens were also seen sitting in discomfort at the waiting lobby of the city hall. The weary registrants eased the pang of hunger by buying snack food from ambulant vendors.

                                                                                                       xxx

National Comelec officials blamed the bad practice of many fellow Filipinos who were fond of beating the deadline last July 31. Similar queueing is true whenever tax payers beat the BIR deadline of annual filing income tax returns. In schools, late enrolees also fall in line because students are fond of rush hours.  Procrastination.Manana habit.Mamaya na lang. Bukasna lang. Postpone it for tomorrow. That's our countrymen's culture, Filipino-style.

                                                                                                     xxx

Be that as it may, there's a wild speculation on why people were overzealous in getting registered as election voters last July 31 deadline. The registrants'  allegation that they want to exercise their constitutional right of suffrage is only secondary to the main reason of their extreme desire to become registered voters.

                                                                                                       xxx

Critics surmised that the masses were lured to register because the voters believed that politicians' money will again flow in every household in the forthcoming village and youth elections. No doubt, everybody was happy during the  last May 13 national and local elections except for the intellectual voters who shunned politicians' money.

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Supreme Court allows disqualified mayor to take post

MARCOS, Ilocos Norte -- The disqualified mayor of this town may now temporarily take his seat without his rival clinging on to the top municipal post.

This, after the Supreme Court (SC) granted the plea of Arsenio Agustin for a halt order on the implementation of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling canceling his certificate of candidacy (COC) in the recent polls due to a residency issue.

In its July 16 session, the SC decided to issue a status quo ante order that effectively allowed Agustin to serve as mayor and ordered Salvador Pillos to vacate the post.

“Acting on the urgent motion to resolve prayer for injunctive relief dated July 3, 2013 filed by counsel for petitioner, the Court resolved to require the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the Comelec en banc resolution dated April 23, 2013,” read the minute resolution signed by SC clerk of court Enriqueta Vidal.

Agustin and Pillos had been serving as mayors in the same municipal hall since the elections, causing confusion among employees and their constituents.

Pillos was reportedly holding office at the second floor of the municipal building, and Agustin at the accounting department at the first floor.

The two were even attending the flag- raising ceremony but were not allowed to speak before the employees and other local elected officials.

Agustin was proclaimed winner in the mayoral contest after garnering 5,020 votes against Pillos’ 4,216, or a margin of 804 votes.

He took his oath last June 29 before Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, while Pillos took his the next day before a barangay chairman and had never left the town hall since then.

Pillos insisted that he won the mayoral race as Agustin’s COC was canceled, which the Comelec enforced in a writ of execution last June 18.

Agustin’s lawyer Eric Garvida earlier had threatened to file a complaint against Pillos for usurpation of function and using the facilities of the mayor’s office without authority.

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Gov fires 300 Nueva Vizcaya capitol workers

By Charlie Lagasca 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Some 300 capitol employees are set to lose their jobs after the new provincial government reportedly revoked their appointments issued by the previous administration.

In an order dated July 1, Gov. Ruth Padilla recalled all the appointments made by her predecessor, former Gov. Luisa Cuaresma.

The order, which reportedly covers appointments from 2007 until after elections, will affect some 300 employees of the provincial government, who were either appointed as permanent or promoted from their job under Cuaresma’s administration.

The order also includes those appointed just before the May 13 elections up to July 1, which Padilla said, was in violation of the Local Government Code, the Omnibus Election Code and Civil Service Laws, Rules and Regulations.

“The appointments and promotions of some employees were made in the absence of a Personnel Selection Board which should have been created in accordance with law,” said Padilla.

Lawyer Leslie Costales, legal counsel during the administration of Cuaresma, defended the appointments of the affected provincial government employees, saying they have undergone the legal process.

The appointments, he said, were approved by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) after the provincial government complied with all the necessary requirements and processes.

“However, we will give the new administration the benefit of the doubt that they are also complying with the process,” he said.

Speculations are rife that Padilla’s move has something to do with politics since the affected employees were said to be either close to the past administration or whose promotion or permanent appointments were made under Cuaresma’s term.

Reports also had it that the termination of the capitol employees was meant to accommodate the new administration’s allies.                 

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Palace exec denies torture raps; many victims recount inhuman, horrifying ordeal

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A Palace official said torture charges filed against his family by alleged victims, were only aimed at discrediting him before the public and President Aquino.

“These are all rehashed and politically motivated charges being highlighted by our political rivals to divert attention from what is really happening in our province,” said Manuel Mamba, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.

Mamba reacted to the call of families of the alleged torture victims for the Court of Appeals (CA) to order government agencies to enforce its order for their protection amid the pending human rights cases they filed against the Mambas.

Marites Bueno, mother of one of four minors allegedly tortured in 2009 supposedly on the Mambas’ orders on suspicion that they were behind thefts in Cagayan’s Tuao town, said the writ of amparo issued by the CA for their protection has yet to be implemented.

Among the respondents in the torture case are Mamba’s younger brothers, outgoing Tuao Mayor William Mamba, and lawyer Francisco Mamba Jr., now the town’s mayor-elect.

William ran in the Cagayan gubernatorial race but lost to incumbent Gov. Alvaro Antonio. 

The Mambas belong to the Liberal Party, and the PLLO chief is the party chairman in Cagayan.

On the other hand, Antonio ran under the United Nationalist Alliance, one of the political groups comprising Team Cagayan of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

While Enrile is considered the political kingpin of Cagayan, the Mambas continue to keep their hold in Tuao town.

The two younger Mamba siblings are also facing a case for alleged violation of the Custodial Violation Acts, grave illegal detention, grave threats and coercion before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The alleged torture victims, aged 13 to 17 at the time of the supposed incident in 2009, claimed they were beaten up and suffocated with clear plastic bags, and that metal wires were placed in their private parts, and wax from burning candles was made to drip on their bodies while being forced to admit a theft in Tuao.

The elder Mamba, also a three-term congressman of Cagayan’s third district, denied the charges against them. 

“These allegations of torture and other human rights violations hurled against us only aim to discredit me. I’m not even a respondent to these complaints but our political detractors have been trying to link me to these allegations,” he said. 

Mamba said those behind the smear campaign against his family were the ones responsible for unabated illegal black sand mining along the shores of Cagayan and jueteng operations in the province. 

“You know those who have been controlling Cagayan for so many years… those behind the rampant illegal mining, gambling, smuggling and other illegal activities in the province, which have been generating millions of pesos for their pockets,” he said.

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Cagayan vice gov’s 9 guards hunted for slay

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya  – Nine bodyguards of Cagayan Vice Gov. Leonides Fausto are being hunted down by authorities for their alleged involvement in the killing of a supporter of a rival camp during the campaign period.

The suspects were identified as Zaldy Bangan, Gil Durian, Boyet Genobil, Arthur Advincula, Angel Tubban, Romar Latupan, Nono Lizardo, Jefrey Balocanao and Aldrin Omillo, who reportedly worked as Fausto’s security aides during the recent elections.

They were tagged in the killing of Jomar Littaua, 41, of Tuao town’s Barangay Centro 1, during the campaign period.

The victim was one of the campaign supporters of three-term Tuao Mayor William Mamba in his failed gubernatorial bid in Cagayan.

Mamba, who is allied with the Liberal Party (LP), lost to re-electionist Gov. Alvaro Antonio, the running mate of Fausto under the United Nationalist Alliance.

Reports said the suspects chanced upon Littaua in an eatery in Tuao town where they allegedly shot him repeatedly after a verbal tussle.

The suspects and the victim reportedly had differences, which cropped up during the campaign.     

Two more suspects, a certain Audi Cauilan and Julius Cesar Paeste, were arrested at the crime scene while the others were able to escape.

Mamba’s brother, Manuel, head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, recently filed charges of multiple frustrated murder against Antonio in connection with the shooting of his convoy in Alcala town on election day.

Besides Antonio, several John Does were also included in Manuel Mamba’s complaint filed before the Cagayan prosecutor’s office last May 21. 

Mamba, also a former three-term congressman, accused Antonio as the one who fired at his four-vehicle convoy while passing through the governor’s hometown of Alcala at around 2 p.m. last May 13. 

Mamba, LP chairman in Cagayan, said his group was on their way to Aparri town to monitor the balloting when the incident happened. 

Antonio denied the allegations, claiming that he was resting at his residence then when he heard gunshots. The Mambas’ linking him to the shooting, he said, was a mere excuse for their defeat in the elections.  

Former congressman Mamba and then second term-seeking Gov. Antonio faced off in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

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Teachers to Comelec: Where is poll pay?

EDITORIAL

What is taking the Commission on Elections to pay delayed compensation of teachers who served as board of election inspectors (BEIs) and support staff last elections?

The Comelec is mum about this even as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines (ACT-Philippines) picketed the Comelec main office denouncing the commission’s failure to act on the matter.

“It had been three weeks since the election and as of last week, we have been receiving reports from our teachers from different parts of the country that they did not yet receive the amount of P4,000 election service compensation that should be given right after election day,”ACT chairperson Benjamin Valbuena said in a press statement.

According to ACT-Philippines, some Teachers/BEIs and support staff from Cebu City, Aklan, Davao City, Noveleta Cavite, Libon, Albay, Abukay, Bataan, Mandaluyong, Pangasinan 1, Saranggani, Santiago City, Pililla, Rizal, Guagua, Pampanga, Camarines Sur, Talisay, Batangas, San Fernando, Pampanga, Pagadian City, Pasay City, Ilocos Sur, Mataas na kahoy, Batangas, Zamboanga City, Bacolod City, Toledo City, Lipa City, Batangas, Catanauan, Quezon, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, Kananga, Leyte, Iligan City and Bantayan Island, Puerto Princesa have yet to receive compensation.

“We are calling on the Comelec through its commissioners to act upon these concerns. We don’t deserve this kind of treatment and election service is far beyond our duty as educators,” Valbuena added.

The group said this year’s election service compensation was a far cry from what they were expecting. They demanded P6,000 compensation but the Dept. of Budget and Management reportedly didn’t grant it.

Despite Comelec’s pronouncements of lesser work due to automated elections, teachers said it was harder to serve because about five precincts were clustered into one which comprised a thousand voters. Aside from that, many PCOS machines reportedly didn’t function well and CF Cards were corrupted.

“We don’t want this to happen again in the next election, we want sweeping action on this. This is so unfair to those who rendered valuable service to the people and to our country,” Valbuena said.

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Re-elected Nueva Ecija vice gov makes history

CABANATUAN CITY – Re-elected Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos has made history, as he beat former vice governor Eduardo Joson IV with a 238,827-vote margin.

Padiernos, running mate of re-elected Gov. Aurelio Umali of the Liberal Party-Unang Sigaw Partidong Pagbabago, garnered 543,066 votes against the 304,239 votes of Joson of the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija.

Padiernos’ vote margin is bigger than Umali’s 218,000-vote lead over his rival, first district Rep. Josie Manuel-Joson.

Padiernos won in all five component cities of Nueva Ecija and in 24 of 27 towns, losing only in Aliaga, Pantabangan and Quezon, the Josons’ hometown.

Roughly 30 percent of his votes – 179,870 – came from his bailiwick, the fourth congressional district where his rival only obtained 48,209 votes.

Padiernos, who has one more term left as vice governor, said he was overwhelmed by the new mandate he received from Novo Ecijanos, particularly as his vote edge was twice that of 2010.

“Since my vote margin was double that of 2010, I would also double my efforts as Sangguniang Panglungsod presiding officer in steering it and our board members to pass key legislation for the people of Nueva Ecija,” he said.

He added he would provide all-out support to the pro-development legislative agenda of the Umali administration.

With his second consecutive landslide victory, Padiernos went down in history as the first non-Umali to beat a Joson in an elective capitol position.

Previously, the Josons had not lost a fight for the post of governor or vice governor, except to Umali who started his term with a landslide win in 2007 over then vice governor Mariano CristinoJoson.

That victory ended the Josons’ 48-year grip on the provincial capitol. Umali won re-election in 2010 by beating then vice governor Edward Thomas Joson and a third term last May 13 by winning over Manuel-Joson.

Considered by many as the “man to watch” in the post-election scenario, Padiernos first became vice governor by winning over actor Rommel Padilla in the 2010 elections by 117,255 votes. He amassed 458,454 votes against Padilla’s 341,199.

Political observers credited Padiernos for helping restore political stability in the province during his first term, befriending even Joson allies and not allowing the provincial board to become a venue to harass pro-Joson mayors facing administrative charges even though he and Umali wield majority control, thus earning their respect and admiration.

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NPC dominates La Union politics 18 winning mayors

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – Nationalist People’s Coalition  candidates now dominate La Union’s political arena with 18 of the 20 winning mayors even as second district Rep. EufranioEriguel and his wife, Mayor Sandra Eriguel of Agoo town, are keeping their posts for another term, as they and majority of their allies in the NPC topped the midterm elections.

Rep. Eriguel, now on his second term, defeated for the second time in a row former congressman Butch Dumpit by garnering 145,322 votes against Dumpit’s 27,037, or a wide margin of 118,285 votes. 

On the other hand, Mayor Eriguel, now on her third and final term, got 17,595 votes against the 7,384 votes of retired Army general Mario Chan.

All the 10 winning mayors and vice mayors and majority of the councilors in the second district are allied with the Eriguels, including all the five winning provincial board members in the district.

The two other winning mayoral bets not allied with the NPC are San Fernando City Mayor Pablo Ortega who ran as an independent, and Mayor Martin de Guzman of Bauang town who belongs to the PartidongMasang Pilipino.

All the NPC mayoral bets in the towns of Agoo, Aringay, Bacnotan, Bagulin, Balaoan, Bangar, Burgos, Caba, Luna, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, San Gabriel, San Juan, Sto. Tomas, Santol, Sudipen and Tuba have been proclaimed winners.

In the vice mayoral races, only the LP candidates in the towns of Bauang and San Gabriel emerged as winners, and the rest belong to the NPC. 

Incumbent San Fernando City Vice Mayor Dong Gualberto, an independent bet, defeated board member Pepe Ortega of the NPC.  

Of the 152 winning municipal councilors in the 19 towns, LP has 10; Lakas-CMD has five; Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino has four; 17 are independent bets; Partidong Masang Pilipino has seven; and the rest belong to the NPC. 

Leading the cast of NPC winners in the provincial level are re-elected Gov. Manuel Ortega, NPC provincial chairman, and Rep. Eriguel, NPC chairman in the second district. 

Other re-elected NPC candidates are Vice Gov. Aureo Nisce and incumbent provincial board members Kit Ortega, Rey Mosuela, Boy Ostrea, Vicky Aragon, Robert Madarang and Ruperto Rillera. New additions to the board are JayjayOrros, Larry Flores and Christian Rivera, also all of the NPC. 

Among the 10 elected board members, only incumbent board member Nancy Bacurnay is under LP. 

Re-elected first district Rep. Victor Ortega belongs to Lakas-CMD. 

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