SC defers ruling on Antique gov’s plea

MANILA, Philippines - Ousted Antique governor Exequiel Javier has failed to get immediate relief from the Supreme Court (SC) on his disqualification.

In last Tuesday’s session, the high court deferred ruling on Javier’s plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) seeking to stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from ordering his ouster. 

The SC required the poll body to explain its order before ruling on the TRO plea and later on the merits of the case.

The high court gave the Comelec five days to comply and submit its comment.

In the assailed ruling, the Comelec granted a petition for disqualification filed against Javier by former Lakas-CMD secretary general and UNA candidate Raymundo Roquero and Cornelio Aldon, also of Lakas-CMD.

Roquero and Aldon filed the case after the governor ordered Valderrama town Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero suspended during the election period.

The poll body said Javier violated the election laws when he suspended Roquero on Jan. 23, 2013, which falls within the election period.

Former Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and Commissioners Elias Yusoph, Arthur Lim and Lucenito Tagle voted for Javier’s ouster while Commissioners Luie Guia and Christian Lim dissented. Commissioner Al Parreno was out on official business during the voting.