Comelec 1st Division lifts proclamation suspension vs Isabela vice mayoral bet
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division has lifted the suspension of the proclamation of lawyer Jeryll Harold Respicio, who won the vice-mayoralty race in the town of Reina Mercedes, Isabela, in Eleksyon 2025.
According to a decision dated June 2, the poll body division ordered the reconvening of the municipal board of canvassers within five days for the proclamation of Respicio.
'After due deliberation and 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, the Order of the Commission (First Division) dated May 12, 2025, insofar as the Respondent Jeryll Harold Paz Respicio is concerned, is hereby lifted, effective immediately,' the ruling reads.
'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,' it added.
It can be recalled the Comelec en banc has ordered the suspension of proclamation of 19 candidates for Eleksyon 2025, including Respicio, pending the resolution of the charges they are facing with the poll body.
In February, the poll body, through Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan at Katarungan (KKK) sa Halalan, filed cybercrime charges against Respicio over a series of social media videos allegedly claiming he can manipulate the results of Eleksyon 2025. A disqualification case was also lodged against him.
Respicio, for his part, filed a petition before the Supreme Court, questioning the Comelec's move to suspend his proclamation. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
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