THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has lifted the suspension of the proclamation of Jeryll Harold Paz Respicio as the elected vice mayor of Reina Mercedes, Isabela in the May 12 polls.
In a two-page order, the Comelec First Division reversed its May 12 decision and directed the Municipal Board of Canvassers of Reina Mercedes to proclaim Respicio.
“The Municipal Board of Canvassers of Reina Mercedes, Province of Isabela, are directed to reconvene within five days from the receipt of this order for the purpose of proceeding with the proclamation of Respondent as the winning candidate for the position of Vice Mayor in the Municipality of Reina Mercedes, Province of Isabela,” the order stated.
The poll body said the decision comes after the re-evaluation of the pending case filed against Respicio.
“(This is) in consonance with the thrust of the government to deliver basic and vital services but without prejudice to the resolution of this matter on the merits,” it said.
The Comelec First Division on May 12 suspended Respicio’s proclamation as the winning candidate in the May 12 polls pending the resolution of the case filed against him by the poll body’s Task Force KKK, which had charged him with cyber libel before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office over his Facebook video posts claiming that the automated counting machines (ACMs) that will be used by the Comelec could be “manipulated” and “hacked.”
Last week, Respicio asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Comelec and its decision to suspend his proclamation.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia clarified that Respicio’s petition with the SC has nothing to do with the First Division’s order, pointing out that the High Court did not issue a TRO against the poll body.
