Special poll in Iligan city proceeds despite TRO

By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent
and Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief

IN defiance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) prohibiting the holding of a special election on the League of Barangay Captains in Iligan City, a special election successfully took place.

Presiding Judge Ali Ombra Bacaraman, of Branch 4 of Iligan Hall of Justice, issued the TRO on January 12, 2024. The order directed respondents Cesarve Siacor and Former National League President Eden-Chua Pineda not to conduct a special election.

The TRO explicitly instructed all persons and committees to cease holding a special meeting scheduled for January 15, 2024.

Clint Eric Catubig declared ABC President on December 15, 2023 (considered null and void by incumbent ABC President Siacor), expressed concern.

He claimed that participants were deprived of participation in the special election since the list of qualified candidates was compiled after the general assembly meeting on January 4, 2024.

Catubig deemed the January 24 assembly meeting a non-quorum, as 25 out of 44 Barangay Captains did not attend.

Judge Bacaraman justified the TRO, stating that all Barangay Captains in Iligan City have the right to elect and be elected. Despite the TRO, the special election proceeded on January 15, confirmed by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-10) Regional Director Wilhelm Suyco.

However, Suyco emphasized that DILG would not intervene, leaving the matter to the National Liga.

“We cannot meddle in the two sides; hindi na namin saklaw yan,” Suyco said adding that their office cannot determine the validity of the January 15 election.

The National Liga is urged to decide on the appointment of the ABC President in Iligan before the National Liga’s March election. Suyco questioned the delay, emphasizing the impact on constituents and elected leaders.

Catubig described the situation in Iligan as chaotic and accused Siacor of sabotaging the December 1 and 4 assemblies.

Allegedly, Siacor adjourned the meetings hastily, witnessed by 25 other Barangay Captains, contributing to Siacor declaring the December 15 election null and void.

Despite allegations, Catubig insisted the December 15 election was valid, conducted in front of the DILG office with proper requirements. Efforts to obtain Siacor’s statement were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the barangay chair Tomas Cabili claimed to be the President of the Association of Barangay Council after an election on January 15. He asserted that the election adhered to correct processes, constituting a quorum.

A “Certificate of Confirmation” was issued by the Liga ng Mga Barangay at the national level, although a TRO was filed against him post-election.

Notably, a previous election on December 15, 2023, elected Clint Catubig as ABC President, declared “null and void” by National Liga President Eden Chua Pineda due to procedural non-compliance. Siacor, acknowledged by the city mayor, continues to assert his position as ABC President.