Ecija vice mayoral protestheats up

GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – Some 2,000 supporters of vice mayoralty bet Roseller de Guzman have called on Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo to expedite the resolution of the election protest he lodged against his rival, incumbent Vice Mayor Angelita de la Cruz and to install the former as duly elected winner.

In their two-page letter addressed to Melo, the petitioners, who identified themselves as the Mamamayan ng Bayan ng Guimba urged the Comelec chief to intervene in the election protest filed before the poll body by De Guzman.

The petitioners sought the installation of De Guzman as the duly elected vice mayor of the town based on the decision promulgated on Nov. 29,2007 by the Guimba Regional Trial Court.

The petitioners expressed fears the will of the electorate would be defeated by the continued non-assumption of De Guzman.

They accused De la Cruz’s camp of allegedly spreading rumors that De Guzman would not be able to assume his post because the former has “strong connections” with Melo and the Comelec.

“While we do not believe that they have strong connections with you, we nevertheless call on you Chairman Melo to give justice to the duly elected vice mayor and resolve this election protest with dispatch,” they said.

The petitioners made their appeal following reports that the election case has been submitted for resolution of the Comelec in April but has gathered dust since. -- MG