Comelec declares Noy cousin as Paniqui mayor

PANIQUI, Tarlac, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed with finality the victory of Miguel Rivilla, a cousin of President Aquino, as the mayor of this town.

In a 12-page decision certified by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., the poll body said Rivilla garnered 22,909 votes as against the 19,676 votes of his rival, Rommel David.

The poll body dismissed a regional trial court ruling last year that invalidated some 3,000 votes in favor of Rivilla and proclaimed David as the winner.

The Comelec noted that Paniqui RTC Judge Serafin Cruz junked the electoral protest filed by David in September 2013.

Despite the ruling, David filed a motion for reconsideration in October before Judge Agapito Laoagan Jr., who was then a newly appointed assisting judge in this town.

Rivilla and David traded motions for reconsideration that led to a status quo order from the Comelec in favor of David last December.

The Comelec said Cruz’s ruling was “final and executory” and any amendment or alteration is null and void for lack of jurisdiction.

It added that David should have filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec instead of the RTC.