Comelec verifies Danao Signatures

CEBU, Philippines -The verification of signatures in the recall petition against Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. is set on February 13, 2012.

Danao City Election Registrar Dominic Ian Marigomen invited both parties in a pre-verification conference yesterday afternoon.

Only the camp of Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III sent representatives to the conference. There was no one from Mayor Durano’s side although his lawyer, Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu, filed a manifestation with motion to set aside verification proceedings.

During the pre verification conference, Marigomen enumerated house rules for the day of the verification to prevent problems. Marigomen required both parties to submit the list of their watchers assigned for the verification.

Marigomen said that during the verification, they only determine if the signatures are “similar, non-similar or not in the book of voters.”

The verification of the signatures is based on the order of Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome Sino Cruz. He stressed that any opposition from the lawyers will not stop their office in conducting the verification of signatures. They will only forward any opposition for the Comelec En Banc to resolve.

On the other hand, Dalawampu said that the pre-verification conference and verification proceedings set by the Commission yesterday and February 13, 2012 are premature because they filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court.

Dalawampu said their petition has not been resolved as they have not been served a copy of any resolution, decision or order disposing of the said petition.

Dalawampu said any proceedings the Comelec shall undertake before the respondent has been officially served a copy of a decision or resolution is “presumptuous, irregular and illegal.”

But the camp of Vice Mayor Durano filed a vehement opposition of the manifestation of the camp of Mayor Durano.

Danao City Councilor John Cane, who is a lawyer, said that there is no cogent reason to suspend or further delay the proceedings in this case considering that the Supreme Court en banc, in its resolution dated January 17, 2012, has ruled to dismiss the petition for certiorari filed by the camp of Mayor Durano.

The camp of Vice Mayor Durano filed a petition for recall against Mayor Durano for loss of confidence. — (FREEMAN)