SC: Comelec violated due process in Imus mayoral case

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) violated the constitutional right to due process of embattled Imus, Cavite Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi in handling his poll protest against his rival, Homer Saquilayan, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled.

“The proceedings conducted by the (Comelec’s) first division, the results of which became the basis of the questioned resolution, were void and ineffectual for being in abject violation of Maliksi’s right to due process,” read the SC ruling released yesterday.

Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin penned the ruling, joined by seven other associate justices, namely Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Jose Mendoza, Jose Perez, and Bienvenido Reyes.