Centena: Writ of execution signed
Divinagracia: That's all empty talk
Former Calinog Mayor Alex Centena yesterday claimed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already issued a writ of execution in his favor, paving the way for the removal of incumbent Mayor Salvador Divinagracia, and his comeback to public office.
But Divinagracia, quoting his own sources in Metro Manila, was quick to deny that the Comelec has already ordered the execution of its January 26, 2009 decision, in which all six Commissioners ruled that Centena won in the 2007 elections by 11 votes over the former.
The row between Divinagracia and Centena, and what it might lead to, evokes memories of the so-called 'Capitol siege,' during which police commandos stormed the provincial capitol to implement Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's order to remove Gov. Niel Tupas.
But Centena and Divinagracia both said, though in separate interviews, that supporters of either politicians were not massing in the town hall, at least for now.
Quoting what was told him by Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez and his lawyers in Manila, Centena said that there is already a writ of execution, which was signed by the commissioners Tuesday.
“It is due to arrive here this week. It will either be hand carried or coursed through the mails,” the former Mayor said.
But according to his Manila-based lawyers, Divinagracia said that there is no writ of execution against him yet.
How can that be when there is no quorum among the commissioners, he wondered. About two or three commissioners have not yet been confirmed, and another has been confined in the hospital, Divinagracia said.
“That's all empty talk,” he said, as he advised Centena to clam up.
But Divinagracia denied that he is bothered of the possibility of being removed 13 months before his term ends next year.
“What I worry about with is that my supporters might die of nervousness because of Centena's pronouncements,” he said.