Forget politics, focus on renewing San Pedro City.
That was the message of the new leaders of San Pedro City, Mayor Francis Joseph “Art” Mercado and Vice Mayor Divina “Ina” Olivarez, as they took over as the city’s new executives, last June 30.
Many of the members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod – including those who were connected to the camp of the Cataquiz family which had been defeated in the May polls – have promised to heed that call.
And no one was more vocal about it than Councilor Bernadeth Olivares, who urged all her co-councilors to disregard their political alliances and work together for the city.
“Tapos na po ang eleksyon. Tayo po ay iisa na. Sana ay mas mangibabaw sa ating lahat ay hindi kung sino ang majority o minority, kundi ang pagiging isang lingkod-bayan,” Olivares said in her speech during the inaugural session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod last July 4.
However, “unity” in San Pedro City’s Sangguniang Panglungsod could be easier said than done.
Even as the council prepares to focus on implementing Mercado’s “Art-genda,” two major issues now hint of a bitter power struggle of control at the Sangguniang Panglunsgod.
Numbers game
In the Sangguniang Panglungsod, as in the national Congress, the numbers always dictate who will be in charge.
And in this year’s elections, seven out of the twelve members of Mercado’s “Iba Naman” ticket made it to the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
In the context of San Pedro City, this meant that the president of the San Pedro City Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation will now be crucial in tipping the balance of power at the city council.
Already, a legal battle has brewed over the presidency of the ABC, an issue that could threaten that balance of power.
Legal case
Last July 1, San Vicente barangay captain and ABC President Diwa Tayao filed a case against Christian Albert "Abet" Aquino, captain of Barangay Poblacion, at the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (Usurpation of Authority).
The case stemmed from a special meeting allegedly called by Aquino among the captains of the city’s 27 barangays, for the single purpose of holding a special election” for the post of ABC president.
During that election, 21 barangay captains reportedly voted to replace Tayao with Barangay San Antonio captain Eugenio “Jun” Ynion, Jr.
Loss of trust
When asked for comment, Barangay Poblacion captain Aquino explained to OpinYon Laguna that the reason he, as well as 20 other barangay captains in San Pedro City, moved to replace Tayao is that they have lost their trust and confidence in her abilities to perform her duties.
“Marami po kasi siyang hindi natutupad, like sa mga monthly meetings po, hindi na po nagiging regular – ang nangyayari po ay nagiging once a year na lamang po,” he told OpinYon Laguna.
Documents forwarded to OpinYon Laguna, signed by members of the ABC, alleged that Tayao had failed to resolve unspecified issues within their league.
"There are verified reports from bona fide members of the Liga ng mga Barangay ng Lungsod ng San Pedro, Laguna that the incumbent President of the Liga...failed to perform her duties protecting the welfare of the members, especially when there are several cases filed against the members being elevated to other authorities instead of exerting prudent efforts to resolve the same within the Liga," the members charged in a manifesto declaring all officers’ seats in the San Pedro City ABC as vacant.
Aquino also refuted Tayao’s allegations that the members of the ABC who sought for her removal did not seek authority from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well from the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, the national organization handling the ABCs.
“Katunayan po niyan ay nagpadala po kami ng letter sa provincial at national level [ng DILG], saka sa provincial at national chapters ng Liga ng mga Barangay. Lahat po iyan binigyan namin ng kopya. Ang hindi lang po sumagot ay yung national level, pero yung provincial, sumagot naman po. At nagbigay rin po kami ng notice sa pagsasagawa ng bagong eleksyon,” he said.
The barangay captain said he will answer the charges brought against him at the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Siyempre po, kapag dumating po yung galing sa Ombudsman, sasagutin ko po iyon, and besides, itutuloy po namin itong ginagawa namin,” he added.
OpinYon Laguna has reached out to Tayao's camp, as well as DILG officials, regarding the issue.
In a message sent Saturday (July 9), Tayao's camp said they are unable to comment on the issue as the case is now before the courts.
Question of legitimacy
If that’s not enough to rattle the delicate balance of power at the San Pedro City Council, another legal battle is currently brewing concerning the legitimacies of the election of at least two councilors.
Those councilors, Iryne Vierneza and Marion Acierto, are now battling for recognition of their places at the Sangguniang Panglungsod after a complaint filed against their tenure at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
According to the complainant, Vierneza and Acierto should not be included in the list of winning councilors, as Republic Act No. 10420, which created the City of San Pedro, provides for only ten regular councilors for the city.
However, the ballots printed for San Pedro City specifically said voters could choose up to 12 councilors.
Eventually, Vierneza and Acierto were proclaimed as winners by the Comelec, although sources told OpinYon Laguna that the case is still under litigation.
Unity what?
Political analysts believe that despite calls from several councilors for “unity” at the Sangguniang Panglungsod, the issues beleaguering Tayao and Vierneza suggests that politics will still play a major role in its conduct of duties.
“Yes, maririnig natin sa umpisa yang ‘let forget politics and work together,’” one analayst opined.
“Pero alam natin na sa Pilipinas, preparations for the next elections start even before the oath-taking. In a few months, natural lamang na maglalabasan na ‘yang mga hidwaan sa SP. Nakakagulat nga na ngayon pa lamang ay lumalabas na ang mga isyung ito laban sa ilang mga kasapi ng sanggunian. At ito dapat ang lalong bantayan ng mga taga-San Pedro.”