PAMPANGA

Trial court junks petition of Mabalacat mayor, vice mayor

MABALACAT, Pampanga – The Angeles City Regional Trial Court has junked the petition of a defeated mayoral and vice mayoral candidate in the May 14 elections to unseat Mayor Marino Morales and Vice Mayor Prospero Lagman.

In her decision, RTC Branch 59 presiding judge Ma. Angelica Quiambao virtually closed the door on any protest that could be filed against the re-elected Mabalact officials.

She also noted that petitioners Anthony Dee, who ran for mayor, and his vice mayoral candidate Roberto Tiglao, failed to appeal their case before the Commission on Elections.

Quiambao cited Se. 5, Rule 14 of the Supreme Court’s new rules on local electoral protests as saying that “the decision of the court shall become final executory five days after filing with the clerk of court and receipt of notice by the parties,” unless an appeal is made before the lapse of the five-day period. – George Trillo