CA allows Aga to proceed with congressional bid in CamSur

MANILA, Philippines - The Court of Appeals (CA) yesterday allowed actor Aga Muhlach to proceed with his congressional bid in Camarines Sur in the May elections, issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) on a local court’s order excluding him from the municipal list of voters.

In open court, Associate Justice Vicente Veloso of the 12th division of the appellate court announced after a four-hour hearing that their division decided to grant Muhlach’s prayer and issue the TRO effective for 120 days.

The CA, however, required him to post a bond of P200,000 for possible damages to be incurred by public respondents as a result of the halt order.

Associate Justices Jane Aurora Lantion and Eduardo Peralta Jr. concurred.

The TRO specifically enjoins the Regional Trial court (RTC) of San Jose, Camarines Sur from implementing its Dec. 17, 2012 order to the election registration board for Muhlach’s exclusion from the municipal list of voters.

Muhlach’s wife actress Charlene Gonzales, who was also delisted in the list, joined the actor in filing the petition. She was also covered by the TRO.

The CA agreed with the argument of Muhlach’s poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal that he will “suffer grave and irreparable damage and injury as they will be deprived of their constitutional right of suffrage.”

Muhlach said that he might be disqualified from running for congressman of the Fourth District of Camarines Sur if the denial of his registration as a voter becomes final and executory, citing a press statement quoting Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes. – With Sheila Crisostomo