Salcedo vs. Salcedo
Fight for vice-mayor's seat in Sara continues

By Florence F. Hibionada

Resolution on the controversial vice-mayoralty seat continues to hang in the Municipality of Sara with "final" talks set this week.

On the one side is petitioner Jesus M. Salcedo and the other, respondent-nephew Jesus C. Salcedo Jr. with the case on hand reaching resolution of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc.

The matter stemmed from the earlier annulment of proclamation case filed by the petitioner against the 'incumbent' vice mayor.  Promulgated in October 11, 2004, the Comelec's Second Division granted the annulment proclamation case and ruled to have the petitioner proclaimed as the lone and legitimate candidate for vice mayor thus "the true winning candidate for vice mayor of Sara, Iloilo."

The Second Division in arguing its decision further stated how verification from the Commission's database of certified list of candidates showed a single entry for the vice-mayoralty seat reflecting the petitioner's name, "SALCEDO, Jesus M." under the Ugyon Party with nickname "Nonong Esong."  Respondent Salcedo Jr. was listed under the mayoralty contest.

"There was therefore officially one candidate for vice-mayor of Sara, Iloilo and it was herein petitioner Salcedo.  Respondent Salcedo (JR) was NOT classified as a candidate for vice-mayor but instead, for mayor," the Second Division ruling then stated.  "It is therefore erroneous, if not anomalous, for the respondents election officer and the MBOC to treat his candidacy otherwise without any form of directive from the Commission."

Yet in the ensuing legal fight, counsels for the private respondent managed to have the proclamation held with the latest appeal to the En Banc to have the case reviewed and the records re-examined "in the interest of justice and fair play."

As such, 'Vice-Mayor' Salcedo Jr.'s lawyers called on the Commission to proceed with preliminary investigation, maintain the status quo pending such, "stay" the reconvening of the Board of Canvassers, clarify the dispositions of the latest En Banc resolution and set the instant Motion for Clarification for hearing on what they said were "newly-discovered evidence."

Counsel for the petitioner is noted lawyer Dan Cartagena while private respondent have several collaborating lawyers based in Manila and Iloilo.