Mar assures continuous services in Laguna amid row

MANILA, Philippines -  Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday assured the people of Laguna that the provincial government will continue to provide the needed services whether or not ousted Gov. E.R. Ejercito would choose to stay in the capitol.

Roxas gave the assurance as he appealed for calm among the followers of Ejercito, who was ousted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after the poll body found that he spent beyond the allowable campaign fund limit in the 2013 elections.

The Comelec swore in Vice Gov. Ramil Hernandez on Tuesday as Laguna’s new governor.

In a radio interview, Roxas said the Comelec transmitted to his office its order replacing Ejercito, and he had to comply with the directive.

He said he had ordered the DILG and police personnel to exercise utmost prudence in carrying out the order. The DILG has supervision over the Philippine National Police.

"We do not want the situation to deteriorate. Should Ejercito choose to defy the Comelec order, Governor Hernandez can perform his duties and functions even outside the capitol building,"  Roxas said.