Calls made to unite a divided province
ANTIQUE – An urgent call for unity amid a politically divided province was made during the 29th commemoration of the martyrdom of Evelio Javier, the late lamented governor of this province who placed a crucial role in events leading to the so- called People’s Power revolt against the oppressive regime of former dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986.
“Let us heal our wounded province,” said newly installed Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao at the wreath laying ceremony for Evelio Javier, who was assassinated, allegedly by henchmen acting on the directions of alleged suspect, Arturo Pacificador, Javier’s rival who was Marcos’ close political ally.
However, tension still prevails in Antique’s capital town, San Jose, during the 29th anniversary of Javier’s murder.
Last February 3, Cadiao, the former Vice Mayor of Antique, replaced Evelio Javier’s younger brother, Exequiel, who was ousted from the governorship of the province on the basis of a disqualification order by the Commission on Elections ( Comelec).
Exequiel was pushed off his seat by Comelec for an act the latter did during the May 2013 election period, which violated the Omnibus Election Code. Exequiel, who was then sitting governor and running for reelection, suspended Valderrama Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero, who was also an in- cumbent town mayor and seeking reelection.
“What happened is not my fault. They shouldn’t take it against me,” added Cadiao, who was the elected vice governor and succeeded Exequiel based on the rule of succession.
Cadiao stressed that the people of Antique should learn from the legacy of Exequiel’s older brother, Evelio, who, she said, paved the way for growth and development in the province.
“We should challenge ourselves now. We are a province with no airport and no seaport. Our children are the second most malnourished in the country and our people go to Manila to work as helpers,” Cadiao said.
The same sentiment was also shared by Antique Provincial Board Member Dante Beriong, who said that Antiqueños should have a social reawakening.
Meanwhile, Exequiel and his son, Antique Rep. Paolo Javier, commemorated the death anniversary of Evelio by attending a Eucharistic Mass at the Mensa Domini Chapel. They did not attend the ceremony at the Freedom Park, which is right across the Antique Provincial Capitol.
In a phone interview, Exequiel told Manila Bulletin he did not want violence to erupt between his supporters and the supporters of Cadiao at the Freedom Park.
“My brother has shed blood for freedom. Being governor is only a position. It is not worth for any An- tiqueños to die for,” Exequiel expressed.
Evelio was shot and killed in broad daylight on February 11, 1986 during the snap elections. A member of the Liberal Party, Evelio was monitoring the votes of Marcos’ foe during the 1986 snap elections, Corazon Aquino at the provincial capital of San Jose town. Evelio’s assassination is considered by analysts as the last straw that led to the People’s Power revolution and ended the dictatorship of Marcos.
Evelio Javier Day was a nonworking holiday in Panay Island, which comprises of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo provinces.