Special Elections for Dinagat & Siargao? Political re-alignment looms…

Political leaders of two separate provinces of Dinagat and Surigao del Norte is now wrangled halfway on the possibility of a “Special Elections”, following Supreme Court’s decision declaring R.A. 9355 or an Act creating the province of Dinagat Islands as unconstitutional.

In a February 10, 2010 decision penned by the High Tribunal finally declares Province of Dinagat to be reverted back to its previous status as part of Surigao del Norte. The court’s decision was confirmed based on the Entry of Judgment dated May 18, 2010 and issued only on October 05, 2010.

Atty. Victor Bernal, lawyer and one of the 3 principal petitioners opposing the creation of Dinagat Province, said in an exclusive interview with Karaga News Central that a special elections is deemed to be conducted soon in consequence with the entry of judgment issued by the Supreme Court lately.

It was on March this year when the Commission on Elections Manila had issued a Resolution Number 8790 which stipulates under paragraph “c”; that if the decision becomes final and executory after the May 2010 elections, “The result of the election will have to be nullified for the same reasons given in Item "b" on that same resolution. A special election for Governor, Vice Governor, Member, House of Representatives, First Legislative District of Surigao del Norte, and Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, First District, Surigao del Norte (with Dinagat Islands) will have to be conducted”.

Bernal said that in effect of the Supreme Court’s En Banc Entry of Judgment, all affected officials mentioned in the COMELEC resolution any 8790 shall vacate their post immediately and the rule of succession must be observed in accordance with Law while pending the scheduled special elections to be set by the Commission on Elections.

By this recent development, some independent observers predicted a possible political re-alignment of leaders somehow special elections will push through.

Unconfirmed reports that the Ecleo’s in Dinagat will likely merge with the Barbers or to the Matugases taking consideration their still yearning political interests in Surigao more particularly in district 1. Other reports revealed that the Ecleo’s even is now divided by their individual political agenda.

Dinagat Vice Governor Geraldine Ecleo is reportedly squabbled with her siblings due to political and personal differences in the past elections.

PBMA matriarch and incumbent Dinagat Governor Glenda Ecleo and PBMA supreme president and now Dinagat lone district representative Ruben Ecleo Jr. were apparently on the same political wagon versus the present vice governor.

Observers further sighted a much exiting political exercise in the province of Surigao del Norte somehow COMELEC will already set a date of deemed special polls. (Natz Corbeta, Karaga News Central)

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