SC stops La Union town mayor’s disqualification

By Evelyn Macairan

AGOO, La Union -- A ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) nullifying the proclamation of Frank Sibuma as mayor of his town cannot yet be implemented.
    In a three-page order on Tuesday, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping Stefanie Eriguel-Calongcagon from taking over Sibuma’s post.
    The Comelec and Calongcagon’s camp were given 10 days to comment on the petition for a TRO and a motion for special raffle of the case filed by Sibuma.
    As ordered by the Comelec, the municipal board of canvassers convened on Tuesday to amend the certificate of canvass of votes and proclaim Calongcagon as winner amid questions over Sibuma’s residency.
    Sibuma garnered 21,364 votes against Calongcagon’s 16,603 votes.
    Calongcagon’s camp said Sibuma committed material misrepresentation when he claimed to be a resident of Agoo for one year and three months before the May 9 elections when he lives in Aringay town.
    Sibuma’s brother Benjamin, the mayor of Aringay, said Frank had reestablished his residence in Agoo, but was not given a certificate of residency by the barangay chairman, who is reportedly a relative of Calongcagon.
    Calongcagon is the daughter of former second district lawmaker Sandra Eriguel, who also lost in the May polls.
Rep. Dante Garcia, an ally of the Sibumas, defeated the Eriguel matriarch.
    The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) said it received a copy of the SC ruling  on Wednesday.
    “The same has been referred to the OSG task force for Comelec cases for study and coordination with the Comelec,” the OSG said.
    The special second division of the Comelec earlier directed the Agoo municipal board of canvassers to annul the proclamation of Sibuma as it granted a petition to cancel his certificate of candidacy over questions of residency.
    In a five-page writ of execution issued on June 29, the poll body said the board of canvassers should reconvene on July 5 to amend the certificate of canvass of votes and proclaim Sibuma’s rival Stefanie Ann Calongcagon as winner.
    Sibuma and his supporters held a vigil at the town hall on Thursday, after filing a motion for a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court to stop his disqualification.
    Police were deployed in the premises of the town hall to maintain peace and order.
    Sibuma’s brother Benjamin, said he and his siblings were all born in the town, but his brother had reestablished his residence in Agoo before the May elections.