Supreme Court urged to restrain Laguna gov

The Supreme Court was asked yesterday to enforce an earlier order of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying Laguna Gov. Teresita Lazaro, who allegedly violated numerous election laws, including alleged spending of about P100 million in government funds to promote her candidacy.

In a 29-page petition for certiorari, Pangkat Laguna, a local political party, also asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to stop Lazaro from assuming and performing the duties of governor.

Pangkat Laguna said the Comelec en banc’s May 24 resolution disregarding a May 11 ruling of the poll body’s second division that voted 3-0 to disqualify Lazaro, was issued with grave abuse of discretion and was "arbitrary, whimsical, capricious, and an oppressive exercise of legal authority."