Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) — The order of the poll body to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Agoo town mayoral race winner Frank Sibuma cannot be carried out yet following the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
However, complications arise since Sibuma’s rival Stefanie Ann Eriguel-Calongcagon was proclaimed as mayor of Agoo, La Union at the Commission on Elections office on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court issued the TRO and status quo ante order against Comelec and Eriguel-Calongcagon a day after Comelec issued the directive to revoke Sibuma’s certificate of candidacy over his alleged failure to meet residency requirements.
The high court gave Comelec and Eriguel-Calongcagon 10 days to comment on the petition.
In the petition filed before Comelec on May 13, petitioner Alma Panelo stated that Sibuma committed material misrepresentation when he claimed that he had been living in Agoo for one year and three months before the May 9 elections when in fact he is a resident of the neighboring town of Aringay.
Comelec Acting Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said they have not received the SC order before Eriguel-Calongcagon took her oath of office. He added the Office of the Solicitor General will respond in behalf of the commission.
“Per standard protocols and procedures, we will be referring the matter to the OSG, requesting their good office to represent the Commission,” he said.
Sibuma received 21,364 votes in the May 9 polls, while Eriguel-Calongcagon — who previously served two terms — got 16,603 votes.
