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DPP hopes to block Taitung's Wu from poll

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus yesterday said that it is planning to amend the Law on Local Government Systems (地方制度法) in a bid to prevent Taitung County Commissioner Wu Chun-li (吳俊立) from running in a by-election.

Wu was convicted of corruption by the High Court but has appealed the ruling. He has also been charged with vote-buying but is out on NT$1 million (US$29,800) bail.

Although Wu was yesterday suspended from his post in accordance with the law, he can still run in a by-election by resigning and retaking the oath of office if re-elected.

DPP caucus whip William Lai (賴清德) yesterday said it is necessary to revise the law to ensure that a similar incident cannot recur in the future.

"We have told the Taitung electorate that Wu would be suspended from his post if elected," he said. "Now they should know it was a waste of their time and ballots to support Wu in the first place."

Lai said Wu has the right to resign from his position after taking office and the right to run in the by-election, as well as to assume office if elected.

Wu, however, would still be dismissed from his position if convicted by the Supreme Court.

Knowing that he would be immediately suspended from his post after assuming office, Wu divorced his wife Kuang Li-chen (鄺麗貞) on Monday in order to sidestep the restriction against a commissioner selecting a relative or spouse as his deputy.

Wu appointed Kuang before Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Walis Pelin, who administered his swearing in, could stop him.

However, Pelin said immediately that Wu's suspension was effective directly upon his being sworn in to office and that he therefore did not have the right to name any deputies.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday said that whether Wu should be suspended from his post was a legal issue, and that he hoped the Cabinet would refrain from "injuring Wu to the extreme" and at least allow him to organize his team first.

"I think it would be a better idea if they let him depart with dignity," Wang said. "He is, after all, a popularly elected official."

Vice Interior Minister Chang Wen-ying (張溫鷹) yesterday dismissed Wang's claim that the ministry's move was one that was carried out in accordance with the law.

Secretary-General of the Taitung County Government Lai Shun-hsien (賴順賢) confirmed yesterday that he was informed by Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) on Monday night that he would serve as the acting commissioner.

In other related news, a by-election to vote on a Chiayi City lawmaker is scheduled for March 11 next year, the Central Election Commission announced yesterday.

The vacancy was left by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Huang Ming-hui (黃敏惠), who was elected Chiayi mayor in the Dec. 3 elections.
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