SC affirms La Union solon’s victory in polls

By Jun Elias

AGOO, La Union – The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory in the 2016 elections of Rep. Sandra Eriguel of this province’s second district after it dismissed a petition questioning her proclamation by the Commission on Elections. In a ruling issued recently, the high court said petitioner Paulino Nonan failed to prove his claims that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion when it dismissed his petition to cancel Eriguel’s certificate of candidacy (CoC).

The petitioner questioned Eriguel’s citizenship.

The poll body said it has no authority to rule on issues pertaining to a candidate’s citizenship.

This prompted Nonan to bring the case before the high tribunal, which also junked his petition for certiorari questioning Eriguel’s candidacy and qualification. 

Eriguel said she did not make false representation in her CoC and that she is a natural born Filipino citizen, who has all the qualifications to seek a congressional post. 

The lawmaker was mayor of Agoo town from 2007 to 2013.

She now chairs the House committee on health.

The high court said the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal has the authority to resolve the issue.