SC junks Maguindanao mayoralty bet protest

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of a lower court dismissing the electoral protest of a  2010 mayoralty candidate in Maguindanao.

In an en banc ruling, the High Court dismissed the petition for review of Talib Abo Sr., a former mayoral candidate of Parang town, Maguindanao. Abo was questioning the Comelec decision, granting an injunctive relief in favor of Mayor Ibrahim Ibay.

Ibay was previously declared the winner by the Comelec  in the May 10, 2010 mayoral race. However, Judge Bansawan Ibrahim of Maguindanao regional trial court ruled in favor of Abo, unseating Ibay and declaring the former as the winner instead.

The Comelec issued an injunction against the court ruling.

Abo elevated the case to the High Court after their pleas filed before the Comelec were both dismissed.

"In any event, the petition would still be dismissed for failure to sufficiently show that any grave abuse of discretion was committed by the (Comelec) in rendering the challenged resolution which, on contrary, appears to be in accord with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence," the SC ruling said.

Ibay is seeking a second term in the  upcoming May 13 elections under the Liberal Party against Abo's son, incumbent Maguindanao provincial board member Talib Abo Jr.