SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the victory of Miguel Rivilla as Paniqui, Tarlac mayor, but tension has not eased in the town because his rival refused to step down.
Rommel David of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, who was proclaimed winner by a regional trial court (RTC) judge after a recount of the votes last October, was still holed up on the third floor of the municipal building.
Rivilla, who held fort on the second floor with Vice Mayor Jean Linsao, whom he designated officer-in-charge, urged his followers not to resort to violence.
Rivilla said he would not hesitate to use force against David once he receives the order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) supporting the Comelec decision.
“He (David) was never declared mayor by either the DILG or the Comelec, but only by the RTC, whose verdict has already been declared null by the Comelec,” Rivilla said.
Rivilla, who was slapped a 60-day preventive suspension over the alleged illegal use of P3 million in municipal funds to pay for the salaries of contractual employees, will reassume his post on Dec. 8.
Former Tarlac governor Margarita “Ting-Ting” Cojuangco arrived at the town hall to show support for Rivilla. Speculations are rife that Cojuangco will run for governor in 2016 with Rivilla as her vice governor.