The gods 'angered' by Gov. Javier’s hubris

“Whenever I've had success, I never learn from it. Success usually breeds a degree of hubris. When you fail, that's when you learn.” Moby

By Alex P. Vidal

ANTIQUE Gov. Exequiel Javier will only have himself to blame if he loses his position for disqualification.

Like Sisyphus, whom the gods condemned to ceaselessly roll a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight, Javier had it coming.

Like Prometheus, the governor’s hubris did him in.

They make mad first whom the gods wish to destroy?

The younger brother of the late ex-governor Evelio, a national hero, had been warned that his Executive Order No. 003 dated Jan. 23, 2013 preventively suspending for 30 days Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero of Valderrama, was illegal.

It violated the Omnibus Election Code that prohibits the suspension of any elective local executive within the election period.

The previous election period started on January 13, 2013 until June 12, 2013.

But he ignored the law, nay the warning.

The governor, who had served as congressman for three terms, probably underestimated the enemy.

In fact, Javier said he was “willing to face the music” (in fairness to Javier, he actually said he would respect the Comelec decision).

GROUND

Javier’s act was a ground for disqualification under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, Brilliantes explained.

But Javier was unfazed.

Upon the recommendation of the Provincial Board, he suspended Roquero, who was facing administrative case filed by her vice mayor, Christopher Maguad.

The vice mayor charged Roquero for gross misconduct, dereliction of duty and abuse of authority for reportedly allowing the alleged illegal operation of a gasoline station.

It was a simple case of conflict between a town mayor and vice mayor that turned into a tsunami.

For agreeing with the Provincial Board, Javier’s eyes were zapped by the tiniest mote of dust.

If he did not implement the Provincial Board recommendation, there would have been no disqualification case filed against him.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Antique will have a new governor starting Monday, January 26.

INSTALL

Rhodora Cadiao, the incumbent vice governor, will be installed as governor by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) after the issuance of the writ of execution by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This became apparent after the Supreme Court did not grant Javier’s petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop his disqualification.

His ouster was final and executory, according to Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes.

Interestingly, Javier’s political opponent, the late board member Arturo “Turing” Pacificador, will be buried on January 24 in Lapaz, Hamtic, Antique.

Pacificador, who spent years in jail for charges that he conspired to murder Evelio before he was acquitted, died on January 11, 2015, a day before the Comelec ordered Javier’s ouster with finality.