Priest-mayor brings case to SC

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — With a protracted legal battle in sight, the "priest-mayor" of Buguias town in Benguet may end up serving his term.

This, as Fr. Nardo Cayat, who trounced incumbent Buguias Mayor Thomas Palileng by more 2,800 votes, has brought his case to the Supreme Court.

Cayat is asking the high tribunal to nullify the May 9 order of the Commission on Elections’ first division denying his appeal on his earlier disqualification.

Cayat’s legal counsel Benedict Kato said the first division’s order issued a day before Election Day preempted any ruling by the Comelec en banc which, he argued, should decide on all motions for reconsideration.

The first division denied Cayat’s motion on the ground that he did not pay the P500 filing fee.

Kato said they have no recourse but to exhaust all legal remedies for Cayat who was proclaimed mayor-elect last May 12.

In seeking his disqualification, Palileng noted that Cayat was found guilty of sexual harassment last year.

But Kato said the cancellation of his client’s certificate of candidacy was not properly served.