By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
PADAYON Pilipino-backed protesters yesterday continued their demonstration outside the Court of Appeals (CA) here even as they hurled brickbats at associate justices hearing Mayor Oscar Moreno’s petition for a writ of preliminary injunction.
With placards, the demonstrators alleged that “Kinawat nga buhis gibayad sa huwes,” and that the temporary restraining order (TRO) was “for sale.”
No evidence was presented to support this allegation.
Demonstrators also implied that the CA division’s impending ruling on the petition for a writ of preliminary injunction was up for bidding.
INHIBIT. Mayor Oscar Moreno’s accuser William Guialani shows a copy of his motion against Associate Justice Edgardo Camello.(PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)
Meanwhile, Moreno’s accuser William Guialani filed a motion in an effort to make CA Associate Justice Edgardo Camello inhibit from the case. Camello chairs the CA division that is handling the case.
Guialani filed the motion at the CA at around 3 pm yesterday.
“Associate Justice Edgardo Camello, should voluntarily inhibit himself… as he admitted, in his separate concurring opinion (granting the TRO), that he had personal or other ties with the Petitioners. Hence there is a blatant public perception of bias or prejudice on his part in favor of petitioners,” Guialani said.
Guialani also alleged that Moreno’s and Camello’s wives were close friends “… and the latter was utilized as contact in ensuring the issuance of the TRO in favor of the Petitioner.”
Padayon Pilipino spokesman Councilor Alexander Dacer said the demonstrators could not be stopped.
“Ang maka-disperse lang niining mga tawhana ang init ra gyud sa adlaw,” he said.
The scorching heat was unbearable that ex-mayor Vicente Emano’s son-in-law, Councilor President Elipe, sent a tent to the CA, according to Dacer.
Dacer said CA Executive Justice Romulo Borja has asked Padayon Pilipino leaders and Macabalan police chief Gerry Ligan to stop the demonstration.
“Nangatawa man lang ang mga tawo sa gusto ni Justice Borja. Dili man sila mamahawa,” Dacer said.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District cried foul over the use of his name in the demonstration, calling it a move aimed at discrediting him.
He called on former mayor Emano and his supporters to follow and respect the rule of law.
“Ang dapat nilang buhaton mamauli sila, ug ilang hulatan ang decision sa korte,” Rodriguez said.
He strongly denied that he and his partymates had a hand in the demonstration.
Some of the placards bore Rodriguez’s initials “RR” in orange, a color associated with the congressman. An orange tent bearing Rodriguez’s name was also set up outside the CA on Thursday.
“Black propaganda kana batok kanako. Walay akong kapartido nga gitogotan nga moapil sa maong rally,” Rodriguez said.
He criticized the Padayon Pilipino over the demonstration, calling the move “improper.”
Rodriguez said whatever the decision the CA makes on Moreno’s petition won’t matter to him.
“If the court grants the injunction in favor of Mayor Moreno, that’s not going to be a problem for me. I will pursue my candidacy,” he said.
For his part, Mayor Moreno said the demonstration was something he did not expect.
“Pasagdi na sila, bahala pag mag-uban na sila tanan,” said Moreno.
He said the demonstration and Vice Mayor Caesar Acenas’s motion to intervene have not affected him or his petition for a writ of preliminary injunction.
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