Ben Contreras EARLY in June, former Taglimao barangay chairman William Guialani mentioned to me about a move to file a complaint regarding the unusually delayed action (almost eight months since) by the Ombudsman on the Motion for Reconsideration of Mayor Oscar Moreno, citing that it took the Ombudsman only five months to decide on the original complaint. On June 27, 2016, Guialani called up to inform me that there would be a commotion at the city hall in the afternoon because the Ombudsman has come out with its decision, denying Moreno’s MR and affirming its original decision to dismiss and perpetually ban Moreno from holding any government office. Indeed, when I listened to our local radio stations, the issue was the topic of all. Moreno denied having received a copy of the MR denial and his lawyer claimed that they only saw a photocopy of the document. Were they lying? Two days later, a Court of Appeals document dated June 22, 2016 appeared on Facebook posted by city information officer Maricel Casiño Rivera and another pro-Moreno netizen. I commented: “Something is very wrong with this post. Have you not noticed?” The following day, I could no longer find them. It’s my fault that I did not read the content carefully but focused too much on the date. In Jig Padua’s radio program, he mentioned about Moreno’s accusation that Emano was behind the appearance of the Ombudsman decision. But Padua posed these questions in retort. The Ombudsman has denied Moreno’s MR as early as Feb. 15, this year. Why was it kept from the public? Who stands to benefit from it if it’s not Moreno? Hence, it could only be Moreno who would prevent the release of the MR denial from public view and knowledge. Finally, a copy of that Feb.15, 2016 ruling of the Ombudsman appeared on Facebook. All things considered, it is safe to say that Moreno had it kept from public view and knowledge so he could run for re-election unimpeded, ensure his victory at all cost, honestly or otherwise, and avail of the Aguinaldo Doctrine that erased all previous sins when reelected to office. To avail of this doctrine is to cling to a match stick since it’s already been abolished by the Supreme Court. Is Atty. Mordeno banking on the retroactive effect of the case since it was originally filed before the SC ruling? This is another legal battle for lawyers on both sides. “Winning the election by hook or by crook.” I heard this before. There was this talk about the Liberal Party allegedly telling Moreno to make sure that he can create a perception of strength to make cheating easier. Did the LP help Moreno win? Did Comelec help Moreno win? Moreno won an impressive and surprising lead over an old hand and a popular one. Did he really? A few hours ago and from the grapevine, this story about someone allegedly from the Comelec who went to see Dongkoy to inform him that an alleged instruction from above “is to make Moreno win.” Well, Moreno still runs the show, not exactly to make a mockery of the Ombudsman but perhaps, he has legal reasons and remedies. He took his oath before the old Nene Pimentel not because he has not taken his oath of office yet but merely to show that he has the backing of the Pimentels. After that, news of the suspension order broke out. Moreno is probably the most beleaguered mayor of the city. It’s not even the end of it. More are said to come his way. And when people wonder why he is still there, somebody quipped that Duterte must have helped him. Supposedly, they are relatives. And Guialani, well, he must have been the subject of vendetta for being a “kuto.” But nothing is stopping him from his fight. For him, it’s not over till it’s over.