Nullify ruling on Paniqui poll dispute, Noy’s cousin asks Comelec

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Paniqui, Tarlac Mayor Miguel Rivilla, a cousin of President Aquino, has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to nullify its latest resolution that declared his rival could stay on as town mayor.

In a motion, Rivilla said the poll dispute had been “irreversibly dismissed” by an earlier ruling of regional trial court.

The Comelec nullified a court decision issued in October that declared Rommel David as the elected mayor based on a vote recount.

On Nov. 12, the Comelec’s First Division issued a resolution declaring Rivilla as the legitimate mayor, but reversed the ruling on Nov. 22 following David’s appeal.

Rivilla’s aide, Manly Garcia, said the mayor would not allow David to take over the Paniqui town hall. He added that the Department of the Interior and Local Government had not issued any order implementing the latest Comelec order.

Amid the controversy, Rivilla ordered the processing of requirements to ensure that municipal employees would receive their salaries and Christmas bonus.

There had been a delay in the payment of salaries of more than 200 municipal employees amid the confusion on who would sign the payroll.