The political turmoil in Negros Oriental ‘has de-escalated’ after former governor Pryde Henry Teves stepped down from office to allow governor Roel Degamo to assume the post after the Commission on election (Comelec) proclaimed the latter as the duly elected governor of the province.
This was confirmed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. on Wednesday, Oct. 12 who stated that there was a ‘peaceful transition of leadership’ in the process.
“We are thankful that the governorship dispute in Negros Oriental has been resolved, with Teves respecting and adhering to the Comelec ruling proclaiming Degamo as the duly elected governor of the province,’’ Abalos said.
Abalos also commended DILG-7 Regional Director Leocadio T. Trovela and Provincial Director Farah Gentuya for being at the helm of negotiations and for guiding the smooth transition of the governorship to Degamo.
“We also thank Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo for his role in ensuring a smooth communication with both Teves and Degamo,’’ he added.
With this positive development, Abalos assured “the delivery of local government services in the province will no longer be disrupted.’’
The DILG chief also appealed to the Degamo and Teves supporters to set aside politics and to work in unison for the benefit and welfare of all Negrenses.
After a weeklong standoff, Teves vacated the province’s Capitol building in Dumaguete City after a weeklong standoff between him and Degamo.
As reported by ABS-CBN, Teves stated that he decided to leave Negros Oriental's seat of government to prevent tensions from the dispute between him and Degamo from further escalating.
Teves also noted that leaving the provincial capitol was also to avoid stalling transactions and operations of the provincial government.
He maintained of having respected the order issued by Abalos to ensure a ‘smooth and proper’ transition of power from him to Degamo.
Teves pointed out that defying Abalos’ order is like rejecting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, saying that Abalos is Marcos' ‘alter-ego.’
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Supreme Court announced that it deliberated, but did not act on, an application for a temporary restraining order (TRO) in connection with the Teves-Degamo dispute.
However, it did grant the Comelec 30 days to file a comment on petitions filed by Teves and Grego "Ruel Degamo" Gaudia who both named Degamo as respondent.
Last week, the poll body proclaimed Degamo as the winner of the 2022 Negros Oriental gubernatorial race, after it ordered to nullify Teves' election victory.
An updated canvass of the special provincial board of canvassers that convened on Oct. 3 showed that Degamo obtained 331,726 votes while Teves got 301,319 votes.
For his part, Degamo said in a Facebook post that he had ‘won the battle.’
"To the people of Negros Oriental, I hope you continue to support me and my staff as we work together to address the problems in our province," Degamo said. (Chito A. Chavez)