Quezon congresswoman barred from assuming post

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has barred Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan from assuming office by canceling her proclamation by the provincial board of canvassers.

The resolution of the Comelec’s Second Division on Tan’s case was promulgated on Saturday, a day before members of the incoming 16th Congress were to start their term of office.

Wigberto Tañada Jr. had questioned Tan’s proclamation. She can appeal the Second Division’s decision to the full Comelec.

In a statement, Tañada quoted the resolution in part: “Wherefore, premises considered, the instant petition is hereby granted. The proclamation of Angelina D. Tan as member of the House of Representatives for the fourth district of the province of Quezon is hereby annulled.”

The Comelec directed the provincial board of canvassers to reconvene “for the purpose of effecting the necessary correction in the Certificate of Canvassing and Proclamation to: (1) credit the 7,038 votes of Alvin John S. Tañada Jr. to Wigberto R. Tañada Jr.; (2) then re-compute the votes cast for Wigberto R. Tañada Jr.; and (3) thereafter, proclaim the rightful winner.”   

The poll body had disqualified Alvin Tañada for lacking the required length of residency in the fourth district before the May 13 elections. However, his name remained in the ballots, which had been printed before he was disqualified.

Wigberto Tañada Jr. said he would send a copy of the Comelec resolution to the House of Representatives for its information.

By his count, he would win over Tan by a few thousand votes when the 7,038 votes credited to Alvin Tañada are tallied in his favor.

The Second Division is composed of Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Grace Padaca, and newest appointee Luie Gia, who inhibited himself on the case.

Padaca, a former Isabela governor, is a Liberal Party mate of the Tañadas.

While waiting for the ruling of the Yusoph division, Wigberto Tañada Jr. filed an election protest against Tan with the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. 

He is the son of former senator Wigberto Tañada and brother of outgoing Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada.