MALOLOS CITY , Philippines – Former Bulacan governor Roberto Pagdanganan challenged unseated Gov. Joselito Mendoza to bow before the majesty of the law, as he expressed optimism that he will assume his old post before the end of the year.
“No one is above the law and he should respect the decision of the Commission on Elections,” Pagdanganan said in a telephone interview on Friday.
He was referring to Mendoza who was unseated on Dec. 1 by the Comelec’s Second Division in a decision on the election protest filed by the former after the 2007 elections.
Mendoza, however, refused to step down and vowed to fight at all cost.
Pagdanganan said he hopes for a smooth and peaceful transition of power before the year end.
“Hopefully, it will be over before the year ends so that the Bulakeños will know the truth as to who really won in the 2007 elections,” he said noting that his motion for the writ of execution is still pending in the Comelec.
Earlier, Pagdanganan predicted that he will re-assume his old post by the middle of this month, but the Comelec still have to rule on his motion.
A former executive of a multinational company, Pagdanganan was appointed governor of Bulacan after the 1986 People Power revolution.
He ran unopposed in the 1988 elections and was reelected in the 1992 and the 1995 elections. – Dino Balabo