Supreme Court affirms Malabon-Navotas lawmaker's ouster

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) unseating Alvin Sandoval as the representative of the Malabon-Navotas district.

In a ruling written by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, the High Court said the HRET did not abuse its authority in proclaiming Veronique “Jaye” Lacson-Noel as the real winner in the 2007 congressional race in the district.

The HRET, after more than two years of hearing Lacson-Noel’s election protest against Sandoval, declared the former as the real winner last Sept. 24.

After appreciating the contested ballots, the tribunal ruled that Lacson-Noel won over Sandoval by just 542 votes.

Sandoval appealed the decision but the tribunal threw out his motion for reconsideration. He then elevated his case to the Supreme Court, accusing the HRET of grave abuse of discretion.

The House tribunal is composed of three Supreme Court justices and six congressmen. Its decision on Lacson-Noel’s protest was unanimous.

In upholding the HRET’s decision, the High Court said Sandoval “mainly assails the tribunal’s denial of his pleas for additional period of time within which to make his formal offer of evidence.”

However, it said a review of the tribunal’s proceedings showed that Sandoval “was given all the opportunity to be heard.”

“So many hearing dates were set for his presentation of evidence but he merely wasted a good number of those days. He was granted an extension of time so he could file his formal offer of evidence, but he still failed to fulfill his responsibility,” the court said.

It added that the HRET “acted in the best interest of the (Malabon-Navotas) electorate.”

Lacson-Noel is now serving the balance of Sandoval’s term, which is about seven months. She is seeking reelection as representative of the new district of Malabon since Malabon-Navotas have been divided into two districts.

Her opponent is Sandoval’s brother, Ricky, a former congressman who ran for mayor of Navotas in 2007 but lost to reelectionist Toby Tiangco. It is not clear why it was Ricky, instead of Alvin, who chose to fight Lacson-Noel, who is allied with the Oretas. Malabon Mayor Canuto Oreta is running for reelection.