MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court denied on Tuesday, February 23, the petition of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which challenged the High Court's ruling on the ouster of former Antique governor Exequiel Javier.
The SC en banc decided against Comelec's motion of reconsideration, which was filed to question the High Court's reversal of its January 2015 decision on the case of Javier.
"The denial is effective immediately," according to the SC's media briefing.
The Comelec en banc earlier voted to disqualify Javier and annul his proclamation in 2013 on the basis of "coercion of subordinates." He had suspended Valderrama town mayor Mary Joyce Roquero, a political rival, in January 2013.
The case was elevated to the SC, which decided on January 12 to reverse the Comelec ruling. The poll body, according to SC, "gravely abused its discretion" when it decided on Javier's case.
Vice Governor Rhodora Cadiao replaced Javier, following the rules on vacancies and succession under the Local Government Code.
Both Cadioa and Javier are running for governor in the May 2016 elections. – Rappler.com