Wednesday, February 22, 2012

News Update Vice mayor faces recall petition

A PETITION to recall will be filed on Wednesday, for loss of confidence, against the vice mayor of Lamitan City in nearby Basilan province.
Bulanting village chief Asbi Ramirez Alkie said Tuesday the petition to recall Lamitan City Vice Mayor Arleigh Eisma will be filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) through the City Election Office.
Alkie said they have lost confidence on Eisma because of the official's lack of cooperation to develop Lamitan City, which has just gained the cityhood status in 2011.
Alkie said Eisma has blocked the implementation of several projects of Lamitan City government, including the construction of an infirmary hospital.
The vice mayor also blocked the construction of five “Madaris” in the Muslim-dominated barangays of Lamitan City, Alkie said.
Alkie said 12,080 registered voters representing more than 27 percent of the 43,611 voting population of Lamitan City have signed the petition for recall.
Alkie said he will be joined by the League of Barangays of Lamitan City, saying 43 out of the 45 barangay chairmen are supporting the recall petition.
He said the signatories of the recall petition are from the 45 villages of Lamitan City, though two barangay chairmen are not supporting the move.
He added they are confident that Comelec will give weight on their petition since more than 27 percent of the total registered voters wanted to recall Eisma.
As stipulated under Republic Act 9244 and Comelec Resolution 7505, only 20 percent of the 43,611 registered voters of Lamitan City are needed to sign a petition to recall an elected official of the city.