SC ousts Surigao Sur lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has ousted Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay and declared his rival, Mary Elizabeth Ty-Delgado, as the winner in the 2013 congressional race.

In a ruling released yesterday, the high court reversed and set aside the decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) dismissing the disqualification case filed by Delgado against Pichay.

The ruling stemmed from Pichay’s conviction for libel, a crime involving moral turpitude under the Omnibus Election Code.

The SC said the HRET committed grave abuse of discretion when it failed to disqualify Pichay over the conviction.

“Since Pichay was ineligible to run on the day he filed his certificate of candidacy, he was never a valid candidate and his votes are considered stray,” the high court said.

The SC said since the House term would end on June 30, the decision is final and executory.

Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said the House has yet to receive a copy of the SC decision.

He said the House has to enforce the SC decision, even if it junked the HRET ruling.

He said Pichay’s name would be removed from the House roster of members. – With Paolo Romero