BUSINESS AS USUAL. Despite the ongoing political battle for the governorship of Negros Oriental, business continued at the capitol on Friday (October 7, 2022). Pryde Henry Teves insists that he is still the governor and refuses to vacate while awaiting a Supreme Court decision while Roel Degamo, proclaimed by a Comelec en banc ruling as the new governor, wants the DILG to install him in office. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Tension is mounting at the capitol with two “governors” fighting for the position, with one refusing to vacate while the other insists that he should already be installed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
As of Friday morning, a “standoff” remains in place, with Pryde Henry Teves continuing his tasks and functions as the governor while Roel Degamo, who the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc ruled as the new governor following the settlement of a nuisance candidate dispute, but has not officially assumed office.
Police personnel were deployed at noon to ensure the safety and security of everyone while Teves’ supporters were also seen milling around the capitol grounds, although it was “business as usual” so far.
Negotiations between Teves and DILG Regional Director Leocadio Trovela of Region 7 on Thursday apparently “failed”. Degamo, on the other hand, called for a meeting with provincial government department heads at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO).
Teves has repeatedly said he will only step down as governor if the Supreme Court decides against his favor. The high tribunal is expected to convene on Oct. 11 during which Teves said he is optimistic it will issue a decision on his application for a temporary restraining order (TRO).
The TRO aims to stop the implementation of the Comelec en banc’s writ of execution where Teves’ proclamation as winner in the May 9 elections was nullified and Degamo proclaimed as governor instead after the votes garnered by the disqualified nuisance candidate was credited in his favor.
Degamo, who sought reelection last May, lost to Teves who earned 301,319 votes while he only got 281,773.
However, a final recount for the transfer of votes earned by Ruel to the reelectionist Degamo totaled 331,726 votes, edging out Teves.
A special board of canvassers of the Comelec proclaimed Degamo on Oct. 3 and on Wednesday, he took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang.
Degamo has been “pressuring” the DILG to implement the Comelec en banc’s order, repeatedly saying on social media that he is now the governor of Negros Oriental.
Meanwhile, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. in a statement on social media on Friday, directed Trovela and the provincial DILG office “to facilitate the smooth transition of duties and responsibilities” from Teves to Degamo pursuant to the Comelec en banc decision dated Sept. 7, 2022.
“In the absence of a TRO or a ruling from a high court, the DILG finds no reason to prevent Degamo from assuming his office as Governor of Negros Oriental as Comelec under its authority has already proclaimed him winner,” Abalos said in the statement posted on the DILG Facebook.
“We, therefore, advise Mr. Teves to respect and adhere to the Comelec ruling and recognize the supremacy and authority of the Commission in election-related issues to ensure the continuous delivery of public services in the province for the sake of Negrenses,” he said. (PNA)
