Capiz pols reel from dismissal order

ROXAS CITY—An order by the Ombudsman dismissing Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco from office has sent shock waves to Capiceños but also raised speculations on the state of the Liberal Party (LP) in the province.

On Oct. 22, the antigraft agency announced that it found Tanco and his son and security officer, Vladimir, guilty of grave misconduct for extorting P3 million from Leodegario Labao Jr. owner of Kirskat Venture, which contracted the P32.9-million Mambusao District Hospital project.

It found probable cause to charge the Tancos with violation of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and meted out the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Tanco, a close ally of former Interior Secretary and LP presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, has not responded to calls and text messages since the decision was released. He has been in government service for 44 years, starting in 1971 when he was elected councilor of Dumarao town and eventually becoming municipal mayor (four terms), vice governor (three terms) and governor (three terms until next year).

Many people were surprised that the case against Tanco prospered, especially that it was filed in 2011 by Labao, tagged as the mastermind in the May 4, 2012, killing of Vice Mayor Abel

Martinez of Mambusao. Martinez was an ally of Tanco who was supposed to run as mayor in 2013.

Labao has repeatedly denied having a hand in the killing.

Running under the National Unity Party (NUP) which was then allied with the United Nationalist Alliance, Labao defeated Sharon Martinez-Martelino (LP), the daughter of the slain vice mayor, and two independents. He was proclaimed winner in absentia because he went into hiding after a murder charge was filed against him.

The Capiz Regional Trial Court Branch 21 dismissed the charge, but the Commission on Elections nullified Labao’s proclamation on the ground that he was a fugitive from justice during the elections. Vice Mayor Jose Alba Jr., who was Labao’s running mate, took over as chief executive.

“I have not received a copy of the decision and I am surprised like everyone in Capiz,” Labao told the Inquirer.

He refused to talk further, but sources knowledgeable about the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had already reconciled with Tanco and even apologized to the governor for filing the case.

Capiz Rep. Antonio del Rosario, also a close ally of Roxas and Tanco, confirmed that Labao filed an affidavit of desistance because the contractor was no longer interested in pursuing the case. The NUP led by Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro is endorsing Roxas after forming an alliance with the LP.

So who pursued the case?

The sources said its revival could have been an offshoot of a power struggle within the LP in the province over who would run in 2016. There were reports that Tanco planned to run for congressman in the first district, which would be vacated by Del Rosario who is on his third term and running for governor.

Several barangay captains have initiated a petition pushing for Tanco’s wife Fatima as gubernatorial candidate. But the LP eventually decided to field Del Rosario for governor and Emmanuel “Tawe” Billones for first-district congressman, leaving Tanco out of the loop.

Billones has not previously held an elective position but is considered one of the most trusted and loyal political lieutenants of Roxas.

Del Rosario has replaced Tanco as LP provincial chair because, according to the congressman, he is running for governor and Tanco is not a candidate.

LP leaders have appealed that Tanco be given the chance to answer the charges, but they have stopped short of defending him.

In a statement released to journalists in Capiz, Roxas said the party officials respected the decision of the Ombudsman “as an independent institution.” He said that in the many years he had known Tanco, he saw the governor as “sincere and faithful” in his actions and in government service.

“As his friend and fellow Capiceño, I express my sympathy to (Tanco) and his family in this time,” he said in the statement in Hiligaynon.