CEBU, Philippines – Almost two years since the May 2013 elections, the Comelec en banc last January 20 affirmed the resolution of its Second Division, under SPA 13-232, ordering the proclamation of Winston B. Menzon as the duly elected vice mayor of Babatngon town in Leyte.
The en bank resolution, was written by Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and concurred by Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, Christian Robert Lim, Louie Tito Guia and Arthur Lim.
The resolution denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Marcelina Engle whose certificate of candidacy was cancelled and annulled with finality by the Comelec 2nd division.
With the proclamation order, Menzon is serving his third term as vice mayor of Babatngon. He was once a number 1 councilor of the town and youth consultant of the Anti-Poverty Commission in Manila as well as Citizen's Anti-Crime Group chairman for Leyte.
Menzon and his supporters hailed the decision of the Comelec, saying this was a triumph of the rule of law, in implementing Section 15 of Comelec Resolution 9518 and strengthening Supreme Court rulings in Maquiling vs. Comelec and Federico vs. Comelec.
The vice mayor was represented in the case at the Comelec by lawyers Aurelio Menzon and Jovill del Pilar-Menzon of Tacloban City and lawyers Edith Bautista and Rhodora Corcuera Menzon of Metro Manila.
Respondent Engle, for her part, was represented by lawyers George Erwin Garcia and Lyndon Gabriel Perez of Metro Manila.