Tripartite DILG-COMELEC-SB Board Delays Resolution of SK Election Controversy
By Adan Silangan
In an attempt to delay resolution of a petition to deny due course to the candidacy of Annika Guelas in the recently concluded Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the Board of Election Supervisors (BES) which is mandated to supervise the said elections refused to act on the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Fernan Fruto (SK Chair of Barangay San Isidro who ran for SK Municipal Federation President against Guelas) saying the Board has been rendered functus officios after the lapse of three days following the SK Elections in December 6, 2007.
The motion for reconsideration by Fruto asks the BES, composed of DILG municipal local government operations officer Rico Gaurino, COMELEC election officer Claire Salut and Sangguniang Bayan Secretary Augustus Leo Asuncion, to stop Annika Guelas from sitting as SK Federation President due to her misrepresentation that she is below 18 years old when she ran as SK Chair of her barangay in Barangay San Juan Bago, Bulan, Sorsogon. Fruto claimed the Board of Election Supervisors (BES) abused its authority when it ruled in favor of Guelas by giving more weight to Guelas’ photopied birth certificate in resolving the issue of her birth. Fruto appended to his Motion for Reconsideration a National Statistics Office (NSO) authenticated copy of Guelas’ certificate of live birth showing the latter to have been born on October 23, 1989 and not as she claimed to be on October 31, 1989.
The Local Government Code of 1992 (Sec. 428, R. A. 7160) as amended provides that an elective sangguniang kabataan official must “at least be fifteen (15) years but not more than eighteen (18) years of age on the day of his election”.
Annika Guelas misrepresented her true age in her certificate of candidacy filed with the COMELEC and claimed to be below eighteen years old. A day before the election on December 6, 2007, Fruto called the attention of the BES about Guelas’ misrepresentation, an act that, according to the Philippine Penal Code, constitute perjury a crime punishable by imprisonment and disqualification to hold public office.
The BES, headed by Gaurino, ignored Fruto’s complaint and decided in favor of Guelas. The Board gave credence to Guelas’ photocopied certificate of live birth showing an altered date of birth. The day of Guelas’ birth was changed from October 23, 1989 to October 31, 1989, making it appear that Guelas is below 18 years old when the election was held in October 29, 2007.
What Fruto can not understand is why did the Board rely on Guelas’ “photocopied” birth certificate?
The office of the DILG and the Sangguniang Bayan is just a few steps away from the office of the Civil Registrar. A simple inquiry from that office would expeditiously resolve this issue by asking for the original copy of Guelas’ birth certificate and compare it from the photocopied certificate.
But Gaurino et. al. chose not to find out the truth about the authenticity of Guelas’ age and would rather deny Fruto his right to occupy the seat of SK Federation President, a seat reserved only to the youth “less than 18 years of age on the day of his election”.
Not content with their apparent partiality to Guelas, Gaurino, Salut and Asuncion, exacerbated Fruto’s plight by refusing to act on the latter’s motion for reconsideration on the erroneous but convenient contention that the Board’s authority “has ceased three days after the SK Elections on December 6, 2007” and that the BES has ceased as such on December 9, 2007.
The triumvirate, obviously misapplied a provision in DILG’s memorandum circular governing the SK Elections which states that, “The BES shall decide all election controversies within three (3) days after the federation election” to mean as three days after the SK Elections the BES shall cease to exist as such. Taking their cue from this erroneous assumption Gaurino, Salut and Asuncion refused to perform their mandated function as “arbiter in all election controversies”. A simple appreciation of the DILG circular would show that the BES is mandated to resolve all election controversies within three days after the federation election, it did not say the BES’ life will last only three days after the SK federation election.
Fruto was not surprised by the intentional delay the BES is causing his assumption to office. Guelas is an SK candidate with a known political backing by the De Castros who were reportedly moving “heaven and earth” to facilitate Guelas’ election, not only as SK Municipal Federation President, but as SK Provincial SK Federation President that will sit as ex officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
A day before Gaurino informed Fruto of the BES’ refusal to resolve his motion for reconsideration, Fruto’s grandafather, Fernando Briones, received a phone call from Bulan Mayor Helen De Castro asking Briones to convince his grandson to withdraw his disqualification case against Guelas. The lady mayor reportedly informed Briones, in strong words, their special interest in having Guelas installed as SK Federation President. She even claimed to Briones that Guelas has the backing of the New People’s Army in the province and that she would like to see to it that they (De Castro’s) don’t win the ire of the rebel group. Briones, however, was quick to add that the lady mayor was only bluffing, in her “desperate attempt to convince me (Briones) to withdraw the disqualification case against Guelas”.
(With a report from Luisito Panelo)
January 8, 2008 at 10:46 am
mr panelo an pwede taguon inhihimuan paraan. stop this malpractices please Mayor De Castro & Giming!
January 8, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Welcome Year 2008, another challenge facing the Bulanenos!
Thnks Mr. Panelo & Mr Silangan for this local updated-unpleasant news! And hat off, if i may..to newly elected municipal president (bulan chapter) >>>>>+Cruzadas!
If the last paragraph on this report is indeed correct, this is the toughest Challenge to the Bulanenos so far! Another reason to reflect on our choice of Leaders, on our will to renew our faith on
eradicating abuse of power and support the Cruzadas` peaceful struggle against political graft & corruption practices in Bulan.
The personal interferrence of a Municipal Mayor or Helen De Castro on democratic process of law, which is an SK Election- is definitely beyond her executive power! It is not only unlawful but also “very unethical” for a municipal mayor to personally call the opponents`grandfather Mr. Briones, to pursue the withdrawal of Mr. Frutos` disqualification case against Guelas.
Secondly, could you imagine a municipal mayor acting inferior to the rebel groups/NPA of the province of Sorsogon? She, who is supposed to give protection to the local residents (whom she usually refer as “mga padaba ko na tagabulan“ on the air!) creating fear to Mr. Briones, should the grandson (Fruto) pursue with the Disqualification Case against Guelas?
Indeed, an unlawful-corrupt attempt to manipulate election process and worst hiding behind such ridiculous “excuses” or “bluffing” to gain the De Castros` family interest on this election result?
The De Castros are obviously heading on firing lines! An offensive approach in strenghtening, magnifying “Bulan-DE CASTRO political Dynasty” embraced by NPA/ rebel groups` in the province.
If the Municipal Mayor herself is personally involved in such an election scam, i personally wouldnt ask why the Board of Election Supervisors (BES) didnt respond or refused to act on Mr. Frutos` Motion for Reconsideration. Your guess is probably as good as mine!
January 10, 2008 at 12:01 am
This is just another proof of the actual pest that’s plaguing Bulan- moral corruption!It has a way of spreading like a malignant tumor,metastasizing in every possible place, infecting others who are weakened due to dependency and angst.This would go on and on if the healthy population would not actively protect itself.This is social and moral decadence in Bulan society,which is really frustrating since we always believe that Bulan has produced noble, intelligent and morally strong people and therefore deserves a better image than this and a bright future for the young ones.
It is useless to remind the De Castros about political and moral ethics for they didn’t have the education to understand it.They are political and moral imbeciles. They are reduced to their greediness,believing in an arrogant fashion they are above the law.It is just natural for those who care about Bulan, for the reasonable and morally upright people to stop them from bringing more damage to the town.
January 11, 2008 at 10:03 am
mga kabayan, siguro eto ang tumpak na kahulugan ni pareng J.
GREEDINESS, kasakiman!
Mabagsik na kalaban ang Kasakiman:::::::::::::::%%%%
January 11, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Hindi po ako Bicolano ngunit 5 taon po akong nanirahan sa Bulan, kayat dama ko rin po ang galit na nararamdaman ninyo sa patuloy na paggawa ng katiwalian ng mag-asawang Geming at Rosa De Castro. Nararapat lamang na tutulan ninyo ang bawat hakbanging isasakatuparan ng mga taong ito para lamang mapanatili ang kanilang mga sarili sa kapangyarihan.
Talamak at sagad-sagaran na ang pagmamalabis nila. Ang pagkalulong ni Geming sa sugal ay tila di na rin mapipigilan kayat ang paggawa ng katiwalian ay patuloy din upang tustusan lamang ang kanyang pagsusugal.
Para kay Geming at sa kanyang kasabwat na maybahay, tigilan na ninyo ito habang hindi pa nahuhuli ang lahat! Ang pagtitimpi ng inyong mga kababayan ay may hangganan din. Nagsusumabog na ang kanilang mga dibdib sa patuloy na pagyurak ninyo sa kanilang mga karapatan. Ang inyong pakikialam sa mga kabataan, higit na sa inyong pag-uudyok sa isang sangguniang kabataan upang magsinungaling ng kanyang totoong taong gulang, ay pagpapakita lamang ng inyong kahayukan sa kapangyarihan! Huwag na ninyong hintaying mag-aklas ang inyong mga kababayan! Itigil na ninyo inyong mga katiwalian!
Julian Giriba
January 16, 2008 at 3:56 pm
bruce?…ikaw b c dj bruce corner ng onefm? u ha? ang alam ko nsa admin kayo…lagot!
January 18, 2008 at 10:33 am
oy, si VINCENT G. yun hindi si bait bruce. pwede ba!
January 19, 2008 at 11:50 am
you have no chance mga inggiteros,kci wla kayo sa poder.
giriba alam mo kahit anong daldal ninyo ni Kbatas ala kayong magagawa. ayan binasura ng Rtrial Court ang apela laban sa bus terminl -wohoho nlang s mga dakdak ninyo. Ala rin kayung magagawa kayat tigil na kayu pwed b?
January 21, 2008 at 8:25 pm
NANO NA AN MGA NANGYARI SAATO NA mga TAGABULAN KAY BAGAN GRABE NA AN KARUMALDUMAL NA KATIWALIAN SA GOBYERNO?
SABI KO NA NGANI SAIMO MS. UNVIVERSE PAG DIRI MO MAUDONG SA GAME-ING SI MANOY X-MAMBO G. DC SA SUGAL
PRIVATE PROPERTY NA AN LUWAS SAN BUNGTO.
ka julian GIRIBA, KAILAN PO ANG RALLY DEMO SA BULAN?
SASALI KAMI LAHAT.
January 22, 2008 at 11:31 pm
NANAWAGAN PO AKO SA AKING MGA KABABAYAN NASA LABAS KA MAN O NASA BULAN NA TULONG-TULONG TAYONG TUTULAN AT LABANAN ANG MALADIKTADURANG PAMUMUNO NG MAG ASAWANG DECASTRO.
GNOONG JLIAN G.,NAIS KONG MULI NA IKAW ANYAYAHAN NA PUMUNTA SA BULAN AT SA ABOT MONG MAKAKAYA TULUNGAN MO ANG BULAN SA PAMAMAGITAN NG PANGHIHIKAYAT SAYONG MGA KAIBIGAN AT MGA KAMAGANAK NA TULUYANG TALIKURAN ANG MAG ASAWANG DECASTRO,AT SA HALIP ISAWALAT ANG MGA KATIWALIANG MGA GAWAIN NG MAYORA AT KANYANG ASAWANG TALAMAK NA SUGAROL.
ISANG PINAKA EPEKTIBONG PAG PAKITA NG PAG PROTESTA AY WAG BAYARAN ANG INYONG MGA BUWIS,MAG SAGAWA NG IBAT-IBANG PROPAGANDA .MAG KAROON NG OPERATION PINTA,GROUP DICUSSION,MADALIANG RALI ANG LAHAT NG OPERASYON NA ITO AY NAKA SENTRO SA PAGPAPAMULAT SA TAONG BAYAN SA MGA MALING GAWAIN NG MGA DECASTRO AT MGA ALIPORES.
MABUHAY AN TAGA BULAN
MULI PARA SA MALAYANG BULAN
MKAPUNAN
January 28, 2008 at 4:51 am
Ibinaba na san RTC Branch 65 an desisyon san January 12, 2008 tungkol sa petisyon nira Rodolfo Gogolin, La Fuerza Del Pobre, Albino Guyala, et al laban sa magayon ta na mayora, Helen (aka Evita Peron of Bulan) De Castro para sa mandamus, TRO & injunction manungod sa white elephant project na Bulan Integrated Terminal. Klaro sa desisyon ni Judge Adolfo Fajardo na kaya na dismiss an petisyon dahil lamang sa “ground of PREMATURITY.” Gusto lamang sabihon sini na may merito man an petisyon kaya lang madidismiss dahil lamang sa teknikalidad. Una, dapat sa Supreme Court kunta in-file an petisyon o kun didri kaya sa lower courts na awtorisado san Supreme Court. Ikaduwa, diri pan-o in-exhaust an entero na administrative remedies para makuwa an mga dokumento manongod sa pagtindog san nasabi na ginatasan na edificio. Sa madali na istorya, diri pa nagtatapos didi an laban san mga taga-Bulan na napepeperwisyo sini na bago na terminal. May pag-asa pa kita sa legal na paagi na mapondo an operasyon sini. Sana magkasararo an tawo sa pagpaabot sa pamilya De Castro na diri tawo-tawohay an mga taga-Bulan na pipiriton na lang nira kun nano an gusto nira himoon maski ikakasakit san mga taga-Bulan.
January 28, 2008 at 5:03 am
Ini na pagbasura san petisyon laban sa terminal ay diri nagangahulugan na pagkapyerde san mga taga-Bulan na napeperwisyo sini na mapondo an operasyon. Mas mayad ngani ini na nangyari para mamatian san mga taga-Bulan an pasakit na dulot sini lalo na digto sa mga kasaradayan na commuters na wara sin extra na budget para makakadto sa terminal. Sa paagi sini, an mga taga-Bulan na mismo an ma-clamor sa liderato san mga De Castro na pondohon na ini.
February 16, 2008 at 2:39 pm
To Alsa Bulan
It seems not clear to me as to whether u r pro Helen de Castro or otherwise, because although u r talking about ur desperations, etc. to the present administration of Bulan, yet you are still giving compliment to Mayora by describing her as being magayon na Mayora, etc. Just asking.
February 16, 2008 at 2:56 pm
To Julian Giriba
Thank´s for ur deepest political concern for the Bulanons. It`s a BIG SHAME for the real Bulanons who, up to this time, are still displaying their “I DON´T CARE ATTITUDE” to the economic and political turmoils Bulan is besetting – to the credits of Helen and Geming De Castro.
February 16, 2008 at 6:03 pm
To Cora
You sounded like … forgive the word “very undiplomatic”. By the way, how did u arrive at such a conclusion. Do u know anything about Philippine jurisprudence? Ur so pre-judgemental. Be careful coz this might boomerang on u.
February 16, 2008 at 9:01 pm
to rosa..este..coRa pLaN!!!!
kaY nAnO nS pOdeR k???!!!!!kay nk sV k n na iinggit lng c KABATAS@GIRIBA??kay naNo man baYa aN kaInggitaN s Mga DE CASTRO???NANOOOOOOOOO????????aber??nIyan p n,halos an mga kasO taLo..hayyyyy……cOra baBy…madaldalOn k!!n wra man kAtuTurAn!!o bk kc ikw an na Iinggit kay KABATAS@GIRIBA NOh!!Kc laM monG may kTuTuran mga inssv nrA!!
pAyO lnG dear wag k masyado didikit s mGa DE CASTRO bk kc madamAy k s mga BAD KARMA!!!
bAGAMAN!!!!!ata!!!!!!HMMMMPPPPP……
March 17, 2008 at 3:05 am
To Adan Silangan:
Kun deri nagbubuta-butahan nan nagbuburungul-bungulan an madesider sun na disqualification contest ni fruto laban kan guelas, wara pa sin tres (3) oras resolbar na yun… one should not be a lawyer or a learned judge/justice to be able to resolve a particular controversy involving a question of fact or even a question of law, because a “LAW” is just a matter of common sense so to speak, the only problem is when the common sense turned out to be not so common, hehehehe, Thus, in simply resolving the issue, first, get the law applicable as the basis in finally resolving the controversy, and what does the the particular law say,,, it says that “all elective sangguniang kabataan official must “at least be fifteen (15) years but not more than eighteen (18) years of age on the day of his election”….. this provision is self-explanatory in nature, one should not be a student of law in order to understand this simple provision of the local govt code, deri mao tabi? now, if the respondent in the petition for disqualification (guelas) is no longer, or over 18yrs old already on the day of the election, then, he/she is ipso facto disqualified from occupying the post (SK chairman), what is the best evidence to support this conclusion? the document itself, i mean the certified true copy from the NSO, and if the NSO record is unavailable despite diligent search, the records with the Local Civil registrar may be resorted to by the committee/board,,, and in the absence of said document, the Baptismal certificate may also be resorted to by the board, but in the priority of evidence or heirarchy of evidence, the NSO Certified True Copy shall be controlling…. duon palang, you can already deciphered from the facts, kung sino talaga an nagsasabi sin totoo o sino an nagbubuwa…. nan pwde na mag decide an committee/board, at hindi na pwdeng idelay or ihold-in abeyance ang pag resolba san kaso, kay kun pagpaparaawaton pa ang pag resolba, may kasabihan baga kita , na JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED……deri mao tabi?
basi kung maipareho yun na pag decision sun na kso san pelikula na “mongolian barbeque” ni mr. shooli.. na an “babyboy” na naghahanap san hustisya, guminurang nalang deri pa nadedecisiohan an kaso…..weird ano po?
salamat, keep it up mr. silangan..mabuhay ka!
March 17, 2008 at 3:24 am
sa political history tabi san bulan, deri lang sa bulan kung deri pati sa buong bicolandia, halos entero na election sa federasyon, whether, for ABC Federation President or for SK Federation President, deri nahihimo na deri tabi makiaram an incumbent na Meyor, sadto pa ine ingimataan ko na, deri man nasusunod an provision san batas na kun kaya ngani tabi ipinagbawal sa barangay election an political party or coalition kay an primary objective or purpose san batas “barangay local code or Local government Code’, is to insulate the barangay candidate from political patronage or partisan group…… na wara sin pressure or influence hali sa Meyor, Congressman or Governor, etc. pero deri man ine nahihimo, kay an nagpapasimuno san pagbarakalan san boto sa federsayun an Meyor, ambot man kun nano kay permi pa nakikiaram an mga Meyor kung sino an gusto nira na maging SK Federation President or ABC Federation President sa mga Kapitan del Barrio”…….
Pareho tabi sun na insasabi Mr. fernando Brioses, na lolo ni Fruto, na ginahuyan siya ni Meyora na iurong na an kaso na disqualification na isinampa san apo niya laban kan Guelas…. deri dapat an meyor nakikiaram sun kay mga laban lang yung san mga Kabataan,,,, pabayaan lang nato yun……
mabuhay ka fruto, ipaglaban mo an karapatan mo..ayaw pag uurong sa laban despite pressure from the mayor….. kay nasa side mo an batas……
March 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
kasalanan natin yan. mga ignorantihon pa siguro an mga voters sa bungto. mga 50 anos pa. matutunaw muna ang terminal este an kaignorantihan.