Duterte’s spokesman to swear in Lagon as mayor of Tuburan town

No less than Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque is set to administer the oath of office of businesswoman Daphne Lagon once the court issues the writ of execution of its decision, declaring her as the duly elected mayor of Tuburan town in midwest Cebu.

Lagon yesterday said Roque has advised her to take her oath at the Malacañang before him.

She is hoping the court will issue the writ of execution by December 1 after the lapse of the 20-day period given to outgoing Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante Jr. to secure temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court or the Commission on Elections.

“Kana kun di ko kakuha og TRO, malooy diay ang Ginoo, ako gyud ang mananaog, ako may gibinuangan ani,” Diamante said.

Diamante contended that of the 54 barangays in Tuburan, only five barangays where Lagon reportedly won have been manually recounted in the court.

“Ang tingug sa katawhan, tingug sa Ginoo; kana siya di na tingug sa Ginoo. Asa naman ang 49 ka barangays,” he said.

Diamante pointed out that in 2013 elections, Lagon lost by 5,800 votes against his brother, Vice Mayor Danilo Diamante.

In 2016 elections, Aljun said he was expecting more than a margin of 10,000 votes against Lagon in the mayoralty race as he has 53 barangay captains while Lagon has only one.

“Kung imong tinambanon, makadaug diay siya?” Diamante said.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) on October 25 granted the motion for execution pending appeal filed by Lagon on its decision declaring her as the duly elected municipal mayor of the Tuburan during the May 9, 2016 elections.

The 20-day period is supposed to end on November 24 but because of holidays, it was moved to November 29. November 30 is also a holiday.

Moreover, Lagon said after she could take her oath at Malacañang, she will then submit necessary documents to the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Comelec.

“Paabot lang ta sa proseso nga hatagan na kahigayunan nga kita na gyud, paabot lang ta sa atong panahon,” Lagon said.

Diamante has pending motion for reconsideration of the October 10 decision filed before the RTC.

Lagon filed an election protest against Diamante who won by only 46 votes. Diamante got 17,140 votes while Lagon got 17,094 votes.

During the recount conducted by RTC in Toledo City, result showed that Lagon garnered 17,220 votes while Diamante garnered 17,127 votes.—

Gregg M. Rubio/KBQ