Lucy scores 2nd victory in HRET

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), in a decision last March 22, upheld the eligibility of Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez as a candidate for the position of representative of the fourth district of Leyte when it dismissed the quo warranto case filed by her rival, Silverio Tagolino.

In the decision, Torres-Gomez was declared qualified as a candidate, being a resident of the fourth district of Leyte. 

The HRET further declared that her substitution for disqualified candidate Richard Gomez is valid.

Tagolino questioned the validity of the substitution of Torres-Gomez for her husband, alleging that the certificate of candidacy of Richard Gomez was cancelled, thus he could not be substituted. Tagolino further questioned the eligibility of Torres-Gomez, alleging she is not a resident of Ormoc, Leyte.

The HRET, however, was not convinced and upheld Resolution 8890 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc declaring that the certificate of candidacy of Richard Gomez was not cancelled or denied due course, hence the substitution of Torres-Gomez was legal and valid.

The HRET further declared that Torres-Gomez had sufficiently adduced evidence that she is a resident of Ormoc City.

Lawyer Alex Avisado of the Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices, legal counsel of Torres-Gomez, said the recent decision of the HRET erased all doubts as to the validity of the substitution of Torres-Gomez of her husband as a candidate. 

Further, Avisado said the decision finally settled the issue of residency of the couple when the HRET declared that Torres-Gomez is a resident of Ormoc City. 

Lawyer Maria Cristina Garcia-Ramirez added that the HRET also noted that as early as 1996, Torres-Gomez was awarded the prestigious Garbo sa Ormoc Award for her exemplary achievement by no other than the mayor of Ormoc City, Eufrocino Codilla Sr., father of Eufrocino Codilla Jr. who recently lost to Torres-Gomez in his election protest.