Dauis, Bohol: Leadership Clash Sparks Confusion Among Residents
BOHOL – Confusion looms in Dauis as Mayor Marietta Tocmo-Sumaylo and Vice Mayor Marie Nickie Bolos-Delgado both insist they are the rightful leader.
The town of Dauis in Bohol is caught in a leadership dispute after two officials simultaneously claimed the mayoral seat, confusing residents and municipal employees. On Monday, incumbent Mayor Marietta Tocmo-Sumaylo and Vice Mayor Marie Nickie Bolos-Delgado both reported to their offices, each asserting authority over the local government.
Tocmo-Sumaylo stood firm, saying she remains the legitimate mayor since she has not received any official directive from the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructing her to vacate the position.
“In the absence of such an order, I am duty-bound to continue performing my functions as mayor. Stepping aside without due process would amount to neglect of duty,” she said.
She explained that she had already reached out to the DILG Central Visayas regional director for clarification, stressing that no formal document addressed to her exists to enforce her dismissal.
“We will wait for the order of implementation. I will respect and follow the law,” Tocmo-Sumaylo added.
Meanwhile, Bolos-Delgado, who was sworn in as Dauis mayor last Friday based on a DILG directive, also entered the municipal hall situated in the Legislative Building. A new sign has since been placed, designating her workspace as the “Office of the Mayor.”
The lawyer-turned-local executive emphasized that taking over the mayoralty was not for personal gain. “This is not about me, this is not about what I want, and this is not about Mayor Miriam (Sumaylo). This is about the rule of law and respecting government institutions. It is about ensuring that the delivery of basic services is not delayed and that municipal transactions are not hampered,” she stressed.
Bolos-Delgado further noted that while Tocmo-Sumaylo may still pursue legal avenues, the municipal government must comply with the Ombudsman’s order and DILG instructions in the meantime.
The situation has left the town in uncertainty. DILG-Bohol Director Johnjoan Mende met with both officials on Monday in an attempt to resolve the matter, but “things were not resolved.”
The leadership conflict stems from an Ombudsman ruling that found Tocmo-Sumaylo guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty. The decision was linked to her issuance of a business permit in 2022 for a cockpit arena whose franchise had already expired in 2020.
Although the Court of Appeals rejected her petition for a temporary restraining order, Tocmo-Sumaylo has since filed a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman, which is still awaiting resolution.
READ ALSO: LTO-7 Faces Backlash for Rough Arrest of Farmer in Bohol