The four surviving petitioners against the erection of the Homeowners Bank on the eastern part of the municipal plaza could not help but turn emotional at the ceremonial demolition held on the site on October 11, 2016. They waited 20 years for this historic turn of events.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao led the petitioners, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members and other LGU officials in the wrecking of a “symbol of corruption.” Wearing a hard hat and gripping a large hammer, he began smashing at one of the walls and was soon followed by lead petitioner Dr. Henry Fernandez and co-petitioners ex-Mayor Feliciano ‘Jun’ Casingal Jr. and Ofelia Villodres. Former Vice-Mayor Jose ‘Boy’ Ramos and the SB members present also eagerly awaited their turn.

Dr. Fernandez, who led in filing Civil Case No. SCC-1984 titled “Action for Declaration of Nullity, Residents of Bayambang vs Municipality of Bayambang Homeowners Savings & Loan Association, Inc.,” could not hide his triumphant feeling and sense of fulfilment. “Thank God! This is a victory upheld by no less than the Supreme Court, which declared that the municipal plaza be beyond the commerce of man. And let me get this clear: I was not alone at this; there were eight of us. I am sad that a few of us are no longer around. Itinaya namin ang buhay namin dahil dito. For one year, I received death threats. May nagtapon ng ribbon, corona, at basura sa harap ng bahay ko.”

Dr. Fernandez recalled the names of the other fellow petitioners who were not around to grace the event: his cousin Atty. Teodoro Junio (deceased), Capt. Boy Gomez, Rollo Campued, and Oscar Marzo (deceased). He took the opportunity to reveal for the first time “their eighth pillar of strength,” who was responsible for hiring the best lawyer at the time, the author of the Local Government Code, Sen. Nene Pimentel, and who supplied the P100,000 needed to win the case. He turned out to be none other than Cezar T. Quiambao, who, as fate would have it, is now the town mayor.

“This is a symbol of our determination, pagmamahal, patriotism,” Fernandez continued. “Thanks everyone for your support and prayers during our time of distress.”

When asked to give their respective messages, Villodres recalled how she also had death threats for breakfast and even had a bodyguard for several years, while Casingal was reduced to saying, “Tumatayo ang balahibo ko (right now).”

Mayor Quiambao also acknowledged the role of Sangguniang Bayan members in the victory, thanking them for their support by passing the resolution for the demolition.

In closing, Dr. Fenandez said, “We love our plaza so much because it is a symbol of the property of the municipality. The plaza is like the face of the town. If we can’t take good care of our plaza, how can we take care of the other parts of town?” (Bayambang PIO/Media Affairs)