Political endgames: The Aklan mayor’s case
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 09 May 2019 16:30:23 +0000
LAST-minute gambits in Philippine politics can impact on election outcomes. The most interesting of such cases transpired in 1992 when then House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr., leading comfortably in surveys and concededly the next president, unceremoniously lost his bid.
Mitra’s expected win suddenly vanished when just days before election day, a report exploded claiming he used the facilities of Congress to produce campaign materials. He failed to recover and survive the virulent publicity against him. Erstwhile Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos won the elections.
Last May 6, similar political endgames drama exploded. First, Peter Joemel Advincula, the “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist,” expose surfaced, identified himself and sought legal assistance from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Promptly, Malacanang discredited and linked him to the opposition. His courage to expose himself to danger caught the public imagination even as subsequent developments have placed in doubt its eventual results.
Second, in Davao City, Jeffrey Lopez Cabigon, a former close-in security aide of deposed House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Davao del Norte gubernatorial contender Edwin Jubalib, filed a plunder case before the Ombudsman against his former boss.
And third, Malay, Aklan Mayor Ceciron Cawaling was unceremoniously dismissed from office over Boracay island’s mismanagement mess. After having been suspended for six months, Cawaling was served his dismissal order just when he was about to reassume office. He was one 17 provincial and municipal officials charged for misconduct and mismanagement of the famous Boracay which belongs to Malay town.
Cawaling promptly filed a motion for reconsideration. His legal counsel, Atty. Jose Roderick Fernando clarified in a press conference last Sunday that Cawaling remains qualified to run for Malay mayor and even cited the statement of DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing, the complainant in the Ombudsman case that Cawaling can still run for Mayor, as there is no provision that prevents him from doing so. Densing even said that if Cawaling wins anew, he would be allowed to assume office, but DILG will continue to monitor what he does as Mayor.
During the press conference, Cawaling’s entire slate led by his vice mayoralty partner Fromy Bautista, and Sangguniang Bayan bets were all present and expressed their total support for Cawaling, who has been drawing tremendous sympathy because of the timing of his suspension and dismissal.
However one views political endgames during election campaign, they convey the reality that behind their partisan façades, candidates still retain winning ways.
Regarding his plans if re-elected mayor, Cawaling said he would seek the help of all stakeholders, including all relevant government agencies and institutions to make Malay the first city of Aklan and make Boracay island more attractive and remain as pride of Filipinos. He appealed to Malay folks to remain calm and abide by legitimate orders.
Lawyer Fernando, for his part, assured Malay voters of the legal validity of Cawaling’s candidacy. The people need to delve more deeply into political endgames cases.