Bulacan poll execs face contempt over recall proceedings

MALOLOS, Philippines – At least 21 election officers (EOs) in Bulacan may be cited in contempt for defying a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the verification of signatures on the recall election petition filed against Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado. 

The EOs proceeded with the verification after the Commision on Elections (Comelec) gave the go-signal on Wednesday.

Perlita Mendoza, lead petitioner for the recall election, told The STAR only the EOs from Donya Remedios Trinidad, Hagonoy and Paombong towns did not proceed with the signature verification proceedings.

One of the EOs, who refused to be identified, said they were told to appear before the sala of Regional Trial Court Branch 83 Judge Gregorio Agloro yesterday.

“The actions of the election officers… which are intended in furtherance of the recall proceedings…are covered by the TRO issued by this court,” Agloro’s order stated.

Alvarado is not questioning the Comelec for administering election laws, but is only seeking the intervention of the court to stop the process, citing alleged violation in the procedure, the order added.