AGOO, La Union – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 31 here has upheld the victory of the first elected female mayor here after it was confirmed that she obtained the majority of votes during the May 14 polls last year.
RTC Judge Clifton Ganay’s decision ended the seven-month long legal battle between Mayor Sandra Eriguel and her rival, Ma. Theresa Dumpit-Michelena, who filed a protest contesting the latter’s proclamation due to alleged election frauds.
“The Court declares Sandra Eriguel the duly elected mayor of Agoo in the local elections of May 14 by plurality of votes,” Ganay said in his 27-page decision dated Dec. 7, 2007.
Based on official election results, Eriguel, a doctor, garnered 11,678 votes while Michelena, a showbiz personality, got 7,839 votes, a wide margin of 3,839 votes.
“Finally, all the things (in the protest) have been put to rest. We’re now working normally at the town hall. Thanks for the support of our constituents. Let’s (political rival) leave politics now for the sake of our people that need our services,” Eriguel’s husband and predecessor, Franny, told The STAR. – Jun Elias