Resolve Cavite standoff, governor appeals to DILG

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should  resolve the standoff between Mayor Homer Saguilayan and  Emmanuel Maliksi, who both claim to be the mayor of Imus City, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.

At the Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel forum, Remulla noted that the DILG continues to recognize Maliksi as Imus mayor despite a Supreme Court decision declaring Saquilayan as the winner in the 2010 elections.

Remulla said banks and financial institutions in the city have been informed of the ruling. He added banks will not honor transactions, including checks issued by Maliksi.

“The first to suffer are the city government employees who cannot receive their salaries,“ the governor said.

Maliksi had said he would abide by the decision of the high court only when it becomes final and executory.

He insisted that the DILG and not the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could implement the installation of local officials.

Voting 8-7, the high tribunal upheld the decision the poll body issued on Aug. 15, 2012 that nullified a ruling of a Cavite regional trial court favoring Maliksi.

In the decision, the Comelec First Division, chaired by then Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, said Saquilayan was the winner after a recount that showed he defeated Maliksi by 8,429 votes.

Maliksi got 40,092 votes while Saquilayan got 48,521 votes.