ER’s replacement as Laguna gov sworn in

MANILA, Philippines - Vice Gov. Ramil Hernandez was sworn in as governor of Laguna at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila yesterday after Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito failed to get the Supreme Court (SC) to stop his removal from office.

Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph swore in Hernandez at past 3 p.m. in front of his wife and children.

Speaking to reporters, Hernandez said he will proceed immediately to the Laguna Provincial Capitol to start organizing the people.

“I am ready to step down (as governor) if he (Ejercito) is able to get a TRO from the Supreme Court,” he said.

“I have no problem with that. From the very first minute, I will follow and adhere to laws.”

Hernandez said he decided to take his oath of office for the welfare of the people of Laguna.

“Technically, Laguna has no governor now so I had to be sworn in to ensure the continuity of services and operations in the province,” he said. “As far as I am concerned, I am the legally recognized governor.”

Hernandez said all he wants is to have a smooth transition of office.

“I just hope there will be a peaceful turnover because if there is any untoward incident, it is the province that will suffer,” he said.

Hernandez denied insinuations that he was behind  Ejercito’s disqualification. He became a party to the case only because he is the vice-governor bound to replace him, he added.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the five-day period given to Ejercito to secure a TRO lapsed last Monday.

“The Commission en banc hereby directs the Clerk of the Commission to forthwith issue the corresponding Writ of Execution for the above-entitled case,” read the one-page order on the issuance of the writ.

In an extremely urgent motion, Ejercito’s rival, Edgar San Luis, asked the Comelec to declare its May 21 resolution final and executory.

On decision-writing recess, the SC has not issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Comelec resolution ousting Ejercito, who had until yesterday to get a TRO.

The Comelec order becomes final and executory today or five days after it was issued.

While on recess, SC rules allow the chief justice to act on urgent pleadings upon recommendation of the justice in-charge of the case and subject to the approval of the other justices in their next regular session.

However, spokesman Theodore Te said in a text message the SC has not issued a TRO.

The oath taking of Hernandez has already made Ejercito’s petition for a TRO moot, an SC insider said.

Ejercito supporters barricade capitol

Hundreds of Ejercito’s supporters started barricading the provincial capitol in Sta. Cruz, Laguna yesterday.

Buses and trucks were used to barricade the locked gates leading to the capitol as giant streamers proclaiming support for Ejercito fluttered in the background.

Hundreds of Ejercito’s supporters from various towns and barangays were seen inside.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Ejercito has made no public appearance, but sources at the capitol said he has been in his office since Friday.

Vic Pambuan, Laguna public information officer, said Ejercito’s supporters have been guarding the capitol for almost five days now.

The capitol’s gates were secured to prevent any untoward incident, he added.

Brillantes said Ejercito might only be like former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia on whom the Office of the President imposed a six-month suspension in December 2012 for bypassing the office of the vice-governor and the provincial council in hiring contractual employees. – Edu Punay, Ed Amoroso, Cecille Suerte Felipe