Act on Paniqui poll dispute, Comelec asked

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Suspended Paniqui, Tarlac Mayor Miguel Rivilla appealed anew yesterday to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to decide on his petition against a court order ousting him from office.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan suspended Rivilla for 60 days over the alleged illegal use of P3 million in municipal funds to pay for the salaries of contractual employees without its approval.

The suspension order stemmed from the complaint filed by Councilor Evelyn David, the wife of Rommel David, whom Rivilla defeated in the 2013 elections.

Manly Garcia, Rivilla’s supporter, said David was proclaimed winner after a recount was ordered by Benguet Regional Trial Court Judge Agapito Laoagan Jr. despite two previous court orders dismissing the electoral protest filed by David.

Rivilla asked the Comelec for an injunction against Laoagan’s ruling, which said the recount of ballots showed that over 3,000 votes were shaved in his favor. He said the court dismissed his petition to counter-check the photocopies of the ballots in the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines.

Rivilla said the Comelec should decide on his petition to avoid any conflict when he reassumes his post on Dec. 8. His supporters have been occupying the second floor of the municipal building while David’s supporters are on the third floor.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said members of the First Division of the Comelec could be impeached for betrayal of public trust if they fail to act on the case.