Madridejos has 2 mayors as Salazar takes oath, dela Fuente to file appeal

CEBU, Philippines - Former mayor Doroteo Salazar took his oath Friday evening before incumbent Madridejos Vice Mayor Delfin Santillan following the decision of the Regional Trial Court declaring him as legitimate winner in the 2010 elections.

The decision of the election protest filed by Salazar against incumbent Mayor Salvador dela Fuente was promulgated May 8, 2013 by Assisting Presiding Judge Mario Trinidad of the RTC Branch 61 in Bogo City.

Salazar claimed that he took his oath upon the advise of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., the father of gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Jun-Jun” Davide III of the Liberal Party.

Salazar with his runningmate, Santillan, is running under LP against dela Fuente in tomorrow’s elections.

He said he is now preparing a memorandum to all officials and employees of the municipal government of Madridejos to be served on Tuesday informing them of the court’s decision.

But dela Fuente contended that the RTC decision is not yet final as he still has to file his motion for reconsideration.

“Di makatarunganon. They deprived the rights sa mga tawo, nihimo og decision ang judge nga wa hunahunaa ang kadaku sa ako margin,” dela Fuente said.

Dela Fuente claimed that he got 8,613 votes as against Salazar’s 6,135 votes.

Based on revision report, the court ruled that it cannot give credit to any of the parties the votes cast “for clearly there was terrorism and other election offenses committed which indisputably dela Fuente failed to refute and overturn.”

The Commission on Elections En Banc has earlier recommended the filing of criminal case against dela Fuente in relation to the alleged terrorism in the last elections.

Under the circumstances, the court said it has no other recourse but to lend and give weight and credence to revision report wherein it said that “the true will of the voters had been resoundingly manifested considering that it was spared from any acts of threat, intimidation and fraud.”

Dela Fuente said the decision can no longer affect his candidacy as his party is ready for tomorrow.

“Let us wait sa decision sa mga tawo, dili sa korte,” dela Fuente added. (FREEMAN)