SC stops vote canvassing in Nueva Ecija

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija — The Supreme Court ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stop the canvassing of votes for former Mayor Nestor Magno and directed Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos to observe the status quo in this town.

The SC order set aside the scheduled canvassing of election returns on June 23 at the municipal session hall, where the municipal board of canvassers (MBC) will convene to tally the votes for Magno.

This after the SC granted the petition for certiorari and temporary restraining order filed by Mayor Sonia Lorenzo.

Lorenzo won as mayor in 2001 when Magno was disqualified after it was found out that he has been convicted of four separate counts of bribery by the Sandiganbayan.

The Comelec said Magno had not completed the required five years from his discharge from probation as provided under the Omnibus Election Code.

Last May 13, the Comelec has issued an order to canvass anew the votes for Magno after the High Tribunal ruled that Magno’s disqualification has been lifted.

It was followed by three more orders, including the transfer of the canvassing from the municipal hall to the Comelec main office in Manila.

Lorenzo asked the SC to rule on whether Comelec could order a new canvassing of votes without annulling her proclamation.

She also questioned the Comelec’ order to canvass the votes for Magno without hearing her petition to recall the order, thus denying her due process.

Amid the flurry of Comelec orders, Lorenzo asked her supporters to observe sobriety and allow the law to take its course. Supporters of both camps have been restive about the issue.