MALOLOS CITY – Reconciliation is impossible among opposing political families in Bulacan despite openness to its possibilities by former Governor Roberto Pagdanganan.
“I’m open to everything,” Pagdanganan said in a telephone interview.
That included possibilities of reconciliation with the camp of Gov. Joselito Mendoza and his elder sister former Gov. Josie Dela Cruz, the successor of Pagdanganan in 1998.
However, Pagdanganan said that reconciling with Mendoza and Dela Cruz does not necessarily mean that he is abandoning the election protest he filed against Mendoza in 2007, which the Commission on Election is currently hearing.
He said, “it must be based on justice” noting that the election protest he filed against Mendoza in 2007 will continue until it is decided with finality.
Pagdanganan has been keeping his fingers crossed that the Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc will decide on the election protest on his favor.
However, the Comelec ruled that it cannot grant the motion filed by Roberto Pagdangan in December 2009 until it has resolved the motion for reconsideration filed by Mendoza.
Mendoza’s camp rejoiced at the favorable decision of Comelec, and expressed high hopes, coupled with deep prayers, that the truth will be affirmed soon, putting an end to the political issues hounding the provincial government and its leadership.
In a statement, Mendoza reiterated that he was elected as governor through the mandate of the Bulakenyos in a fair and honest election.
But Pagdanganan thinks otherwise as he distributed copies of his open letter to Bulakenyos claiming he won in the 2007 gubernatorial race.
With regards to his current situation now, Pagdanganan admitted that its not easy to face two battles at the same time.
He said that it is taxing to launch and campaign for elective position, while waging a battle for the unfinished election protest he filed.
However, he noted he can still do both as he makes adjustments.
Earlier, Mendoza said that it is impossible for him to reconcile with Pagdanganan saying that the latter has been attacking him.
“Imposibleng makipag-reconcile ako sa kanya, kung mayroong Bulakenyong makikipag-reconcile sa kanya, eh ako na yun,” Mendoza said in an ambush interview on Monday.
Pagdanganan and Mendoza faced each other in the 2007 gubernatorial race in Bulacan, where the latter was later proclaimed over the former.
But days after Mendoza ’s proclamation, Pagdanganan filed an election protest that dragged on and remained contested.
Last December 1, the Comelec second division issued a decision in favor of Pagdanganan.
The decision specifically stated that Mendoza ’s proclamation in 2007 has been nullified, and that he is ordered to vacate the position of governor to give way to Pagdanganan.
But the decision is not complete as Mendoza ’s camp filed motions before the Comelec, while Pagdanganan sought in a petition the issuance of a writ of execution pending appeal.
The December 1 decision of the Comelec’s second division has led to weeklong prayer vigils by Mendoza ’s supporters, who returned in front of the Capitol last week.
The Comelec decision in December also led to the padlocking of six of seven doors of the provincial capitol building, which Mendoza claimed was part of their safety measures as he received death threats. (dino balabo)
“I’m open to everything,” Pagdanganan said in a telephone interview.
That included possibilities of reconciliation with the camp of Gov. Joselito Mendoza and his elder sister former Gov. Josie Dela Cruz, the successor of Pagdanganan in 1998.
However, Pagdanganan said that reconciling with Mendoza and Dela Cruz does not necessarily mean that he is abandoning the election protest he filed against Mendoza in 2007, which the Commission on Election is currently hearing.
He said, “it must be based on justice” noting that the election protest he filed against Mendoza in 2007 will continue until it is decided with finality.
Pagdanganan has been keeping his fingers crossed that the Commission on Election (Comelec) en banc will decide on the election protest on his favor.
However, the Comelec ruled that it cannot grant the motion filed by Roberto Pagdangan in December 2009 until it has resolved the motion for reconsideration filed by Mendoza.
Mendoza’s camp rejoiced at the favorable decision of Comelec, and expressed high hopes, coupled with deep prayers, that the truth will be affirmed soon, putting an end to the political issues hounding the provincial government and its leadership.
In a statement, Mendoza reiterated that he was elected as governor through the mandate of the Bulakenyos in a fair and honest election.
But Pagdanganan thinks otherwise as he distributed copies of his open letter to Bulakenyos claiming he won in the 2007 gubernatorial race.
With regards to his current situation now, Pagdanganan admitted that its not easy to face two battles at the same time.
He said that it is taxing to launch and campaign for elective position, while waging a battle for the unfinished election protest he filed.
However, he noted he can still do both as he makes adjustments.
Earlier, Mendoza said that it is impossible for him to reconcile with Pagdanganan saying that the latter has been attacking him.
“Imposibleng makipag-reconcile ako sa kanya, kung mayroong Bulakenyong makikipag-reconcile sa kanya, eh ako na yun,” Mendoza said in an ambush interview on Monday.
Pagdanganan and Mendoza faced each other in the 2007 gubernatorial race in Bulacan, where the latter was later proclaimed over the former.
But days after Mendoza ’s proclamation, Pagdanganan filed an election protest that dragged on and remained contested.
Last December 1, the Comelec second division issued a decision in favor of Pagdanganan.
The decision specifically stated that Mendoza ’s proclamation in 2007 has been nullified, and that he is ordered to vacate the position of governor to give way to Pagdanganan.
But the decision is not complete as Mendoza ’s camp filed motions before the Comelec, while Pagdanganan sought in a petition the issuance of a writ of execution pending appeal.
The December 1 decision of the Comelec’s second division has led to weeklong prayer vigils by Mendoza ’s supporters, who returned in front of the Capitol last week.
The Comelec decision in December also led to the padlocking of six of seven doors of the provincial capitol building, which Mendoza claimed was part of their safety measures as he received death threats. (dino balabo)
