An attempt to reconcile the warring camps of political rivals Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Rica Tiñga who are both running for mayor failed after the latter snubbed the event, citing what it called the organizer’s bias for the incumbent.
The dialogue at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sta. Martha Parish in Pasig City—a neutral venue—had been organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to help ensure the conduct of peaceful elections on May 13. It was held in coordination with the city police, local Commission on Elections and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
By 10:30 a.m., only Cayetano and congressional candidates Lino Cayetano and Gigi Valenzuela-De Mesa had arrived, along with Taguig police chief Senior Supt. Arthur Asis; Sta. Martha Parish priest Fr. Loreto Sanchez, also overall head of the PPCRV in the Diocese of Pasig which also covers Taguig and Pateros; and Taguig election officer Michael Camangeg.
Despite the absence of any representative from the Tiñga camp, the meeting pushed through. No reporters were allowed to cover the event.
Sought for comment, Ana Santos, Tiñga’s media liaison officer, said that on May 7, Rommel Tiñga, the candidate’s counsel, replied to Asis’ letter which invited their camp to the dialogue.
“We are sorry to say that your conduct in office in Taguig City renders you unqualified to act as moderator,” the lawyer said in his letter which was received by Asis’ office the following day.
The lawyer added that apart from his “distorted description” of Saturday’s incident in his letter of invitation, Asis had “exhibited bias” against Tiñga’s party, Kilusang Diwa ng Taguig, and “partiality” toward Cayetano when he “announced [to the press that] there was no [basis] for including Taguig in the Comelec list of hot spots.”
Asis, however, denied the allegation. “Personally, I’m apolitical and nonpartisan. I cater to all political candidates regardless of political activity,” he said, pointing out that it was the PPCRV which organized the event.
Cayetano expressed disappointment at the nonappearance of her rival: “For me, as public servants, we should show respect to… authorities and officials of agencies of government who are ensuring [the peaceful conduct of the elections].”
“This is the second time she [did] this..,” Cayetano added as she recalled that Tiñga had previously boycotted a meeting for the signing of a peace covenant.
The rivalry between the two candidates came to a head on Saturday following a clash between their followers which left 14 people injured. Both have blamed the other for the incident. With a report from Jaymee T. Gamil