By Ferdinand G. Patino
MANILA, May 21 (PNA) — Voting 7-0, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the disqualification of Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “E.R.” Ejercito for overspending during the May 2013 elections.
In a 21-page resolution released on Wednesday, the Commission en banc upheld the decision of the poll body’s First Division last September 26, that found Ejercito spending beyond his Php 4.5 million campaign spending limit or Php 3 for each of the 1,525,522 registered voters in the province.
The ruling also unseats the incumbent Laguna official.
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes noted that the decision was unanimous, noting that there is no doubt about their ruling since nobody dissented.
“The voting was unanimous. 7-0. So, there is no doubt with our decision since there is no dissenting (opinion),” he said.
The poll body chief added, “This morning, we arrived at a decision affirming the decision of the First Division to unseat Ejercito as governor of Laguna having overspent above and beyond what is allowed by law.”
On the other hand, the Comelec has given Ejercito five days to appeal and ask for a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the case is considered as final and executory.
“We are giving him five days within which to run to the Supreme Court (SC) and secure a TRO. Otherwise, we shall be constrained to implement the decision after the lapse of five days,” Brillantes said.
In this case, he noted that the law of succession will apply, which means Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez of the Nacionalista Party (NP) will be taking oath as Laguna governor, to succeed the disqualified local official.
The disqualification case was filed by Edgar San Luis of the Liberal Party (LP), Ejercito’s closest rival in the gubernatorial race.
Meanwhile, Brillantes said the disqualification of Ejercito is just the administrative aspect of the case against him.
“The criminal aspect has to go to our Law Department for further investigation. That’s a different case,” he added. (Philippine News Agency)