Comelec: Status quo in Tanauan mayoral row

Tanauan City — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a status quo ante order directing the camps of Mayor Alfredo Corona and his rival, Sonia Torres-Aquino, to wait for the final decision on the matter by the Comelec en banc on Jan. 26.

This arose after Corona filed a motion for reconsideration to the Jan. 16 order and writ of execution issued by the Comelec’s second division installing Aquino as the rightful mayor of this Batangas city.

The second division, however, issued a temporary restraining order favoring Corona on Jan. 18.

Prior to the TRO issuance, Corona had filed a motion for reconsideration elevating the case to the Comelec en banc.

In a press statement, Torres-Aquino expressed disappointment on the Comelec’s move.

"(The TRO issuance) is a very disturbing development. Though legally installed as mayor, I am temporarily stepping aside to let the rule of law take its course," she said.

Torres-Aquino took her oath of office as Tanauan City mayor last Jan. 17 before Judge Leoncio Janolo Jr. of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court.

Aquino filed an electoral protest a week after Corona was declared winner in the May 2004 elections with a margin of more than 3,000 votes.

However, last Dec. 22, the Comelec’s second division, chaired by Commissioner Mehol Sadain with Commissioners Rufino Javier and Florentino Tuason Jr. as members, reversed the decision and declared Aquino winner with a 3,000-vote margin.

The second division then ordered Corona to "immediately vacate the mayor’s office and to cease and desist from discharging the powers and functions of the said office" and instructed the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to enforce its ruling.

Corona’s camp, however, questioned the legality of the decision, noting that the second division came up with a decision after only two days with more than 500 pages of documents to review.

With the Comelec’s new move, Corona’s supporters have camped out in front of City Hall in support of the embattled mayor.

Aquino, however, said she would not allow her followers to clash with Corona’s group.

"Events like these serve as a true test of our maturity and character." she said. "It is my position to fully and unconditionally respect and abide by this TRO, subject to the legal issues which may be raised by my lawyers."