‘Only Comelec can fund recall’

A recall election for Danao City isn’t possible at this time even if the petitioners provide funds for it, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office said yesterday.

Provincial Comelec Officer Lionel Marco Castillano told Cebu Daily News that under resolution 7505, only the Comelec central office is allowed to fund recall elections.

Last Friday, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III said he will send his lawyer  Guiller Ceniza to file an opposition to the Comelec en banc resolution to discontinue all petitions for recall elections.

The vice mayor said he hasn’t received any formal communication on this.  Castillano said it’s up to the Comelec en banc to decide whether to re-consider its stand.

The Comelec en banc released Resolution No. 9374 to discontinue recall elections citing budgetary constraints and tedious preparations.

It said it already started preparations for the May 13 elections.

“For 2012, the budget given to the Commission is insufficient for automated national and local elections,” it said.

Still, Vice Mayor Durano said he is confident the recall election will push through next month. He said the budget won’t be a problem since the election will only involve the mayor.

Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. will hold a press conference in Danao City tomorrow to comment on the Comelec resolution. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus