MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito refused to step down from his post even after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) swore in Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez on Tuesday to replace him.
"Ako po ay mananatiling gobernador ng Laguna ngayon at magpakailanman," Ejercito said.
In an emphatic speech delivered Tuesday night, the provincial leader said he was forcibly removed from office by his "desperate" detractors despite his legitimacy. He earned almost 550,000 votes in the 2013 elections.
"Mayroon bang unseen hand na nagtutulak sa Comelec para gawin ito? Palagay ko. Napakabilis, nakakabigla. Grabe, ang bilis ng pagtanggal nila sa akin. Isa po itong pambabastos at isang pambababoy ng Comelec sa kataas-taasang hukuman," Ejercito said.
He claimed that the plot against him may be led by Malacañang's allies who violated his constitutional right to due process.
"Pilit po akong pinapaalis ng Malacañang sa puwesto dahil hindi po ako kaanib ng administrasyon, ng Liberal Party. Hindi na po nirerespeto ng Palasyo an tinatawag nating rule of law," he said.
"Talagang ni-railroad, napakabilis, napakabilis. Pilit po silang naghanap ng butas laban sa akin, at ito nga pong napakawalang kakwenta-kwentang kaso ng overspending na finile ng aking mga desperado at kalaban sa politika ang siyang ginagamit na dahilan ngayon upang ako ay ma-disqualify. Talagang desperado na itong kalaban ko," he added.
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He also urged the government to allow him to present evidence to counter the case on his alleged violation of election rules.
The poll body, he said, cannot overstep the "mandate of the electorate."
"Nasan ang hustisya, 'asan ang demokrasya? When the people voted for me, all your votes were all valid, whatever commission, whatever omission that I allegedly committed after the elections cannot and will not affect the mandate of the electorate. This is the rule of law! And this is what I'm fighting for!" Ejercito said, raising his voice.
In an en banc decision on May 23, the Comelec found Ejercito guilty of election overspending and its commissioners unanimously voted to relieve him in an en banc session.
Hernandez took his oath as the new governor Tuesday afternoon.
Ejercito, meanwhile, filed a petition before the Supreme Court to stop the Comelec from implementing the dismissal order.
He said that according to the Omnibus Election Code, he should be given 30 days to step down from his seat while awaiting the final decision of the high tribunal.
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"With all due respect to the Comelec, their decision is not yet final and executory until 30 days! Dapat bigyan nila ako ng isang buwan ... na manatili bilang gobernador ... Substantive law prevails over procedural law.," Ejercito said.
He said he may face charges for abandonment or dereliction of duty if he leaves his post until the Supreme Court tells him to do so.
"I will opt to await for the Supreme Court decision to settle once and for all. Or I will be charged of neglect of duty. It is not for the Comelec to elect who will serve the people," he said.
Hundreds of Ejercito’s supporters started barricading the provincial capitol in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Tuesday.
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.