Divinagracia steps down but says 'fight' still on
Normalcy is expected today in the operations of the municipal government of Calinog, Iloilo following days of tension and impasse after former Mayor Salvador Divinagracia finally stepped down yesterday afternoon.
Divinagracia declared that he is stepping down around 4:30 p.m. after a dialog with Governor Niel Tupas Sr. who urged him to give way and continue his fight through the legal process.
“Today justice died at Calinog but we can swallow this for peace...,” Divinagracia told his supporters in front of the municipal hall. “I am not abandoning our fight for these injustices, we will pursue our fight but in a peaceful manner,” he added.
“Let this be a lesson to everybody that (we) here in Calinog have the courage to stand up and say we must fight against injustice and oppression,” Divinagracia stressed.
“I didn't expect to win this fight, but I want to show that I'm standing for what is right,” he added.
Divinagracia then left the municipal hall with his emotional supporters following him up to his residence.
Earlier in the day, newly-installed Mayor Alex Centena made an hour of executive conference with department heads and the town police chief at the Calinog Water District where he holds office.
With an “almost” complete attendance of the invited town officials, the meeting was held just across the town hall where a handful of anti-Centena locals remained.
For days loyalists of Divinagracia ‘holed’ up in the town hall premises. This, as the main door of the town hall building was kept locked and business dealings with the municipal government virtually blocked.
“Make a report on Calinog’s Cash-On-hand,” one of Centena’s orders went as addressed to the town accountant. This, as information was relayed that no disbursements were also made in the three-workday period that the town’s mayorship came into question.
Centena, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled “with finality,” has been declared as the rightful vice mayor. With the death of Mayor Teodoro Lao though came the automatic rule of succession.
Divinagracia when served the order to vacate refused the smooth transition saying such was illegal. By Monday though, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) sealed his fate by the declaration that the department recognizes the incumbency of Centena as town mayor.
The meeting heard similar reports of “zero-business” from various departments. Such was contrary to media pronouncements of Divinagracia that all was normal and business as usual in the past days.
Heard now too were accounts of town officials affected by the order to padlock the town building.
For Melanie Hilario, it was one traumatic experience that caused her to stay away for three days. She vowed to report for work today and back to her post in the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO). It was also the first in her 23 years of government service in the Calinog Municipal Government.
The meeting further heard concerns on vouchers and disbursements reason why Centena called for an immediate inventory. Return of office keys confiscated by the staff of Divinagracia will also be demanded as coursed through the town’s police personnel.
Centena likewise issued an ultimatum to have the front, back and side entrance of the town hall cleared from any and all obstructions.
He also said that if Divinagracia continues to stay in the Mayor's Office he will hold office in his former spot now occupied by the Office of the Vice Mayor.
“As soon as my security says it is okay for me to come in, then I will do just that,” he said.
Meantime, verification has been ordered on new job hires particularly under the Office of the Mayor and under the town’s “Clean and Green” program.
Centena said he will terminate the services of consultants earning some P10,000 a month here and those clearly accommodated.
Hilario when asked for details said at least 50 workers earning P2,500 a month under the “Clean and Green” program are not known to her personally. Another 14 job hires also face possibility of termination.
Helping Centena is the newly-appointed municipal administrator, former Sanggunian Bayan memberJesus Medes.