Erap party fields Gilbert Wagas in 5th district

CEBU, Philippines - Detained former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas who is seeking congressional bid to represent the fifth district of Cebu got the support of the United Opposition and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino of former president Joseph Estrada.

Former senator Ernesto Maceda, campaign manager and one of the top officials of the United Opposition, yesterday “proclaimed Gilbert as bet for Cebu’s fifth congressional district”. He was represented by his brother Mayor Ritchie Wagas who brought a photograph of him in a frame.

Aside from Gilbert, also proclaimed were candidates for Provincial Board members and candidates for mayors, vice mayors and councilors.

The candidates for PB members are Luis Reyes and Dorie Arquillano.

Maceda said that even when Gilbert is in jail, the United Opposition and the people of Compostela as well as the people of the fifth district will continue the fight what he has started.

Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, who is seeking a post in the Senate, also under the said party, said that Gilbert showed to the people that even if he is detained, his fight against the Durano dynasty will continue.

Gilbert was convicted by the Sandiganbayan of “malversation of public funds” on October 15, 2001 with a penalty of 13 years imprisonment.

Mayor Wagas said that the case is still on appeal at the Supreme Court.

The mayor said the alleged crime involved P300,000 of public money, but he was treated like a despised serial killer, or a feared drug lord, or worse, a terrorist.

Although he is detained at Muntinlupa, Gilbert delivered a speech heard by close to 1,000 supporters, gathered inside the Compostela municipal gymnasium, through a mobile phone patch placed near a microphone.

Gilbert said that even if he is in jail, he will continue his fight against the dynasty of the Duranos in Cebu’s fifth district. According to Gilbert, he believes the people of the fifth district have now opened their eyes and will be standing for the good of their people.

Local leaders and members of the Nagkahiusang Oposisyon sa Sugbo, on the other hand, released a manifesto calling for justice for Gilbert.

The manifesto reads: “In one loud voice, we the members of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in the fifth district municipalities would like to register protest against the unfair and unreasonable detention of Gilbert.”

They further said that any transgression against his human rights is a transgression against the human rights of Masang Pilipino.

“The only way to right their wrong is to release him immediately until the Supreme Court decides otherwise. We cannot help but add that the last thing you would like to happen is to make Gilbert Wagas a martyr and a hero,” the manifesto added.

Moreover, the manifesto said that Gilbert has “put back their trust and confidence in the basic goodness and positive intentions of ordinary people.” — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)