Teodoro proclaimed Marikina congressman

MANILA, Philippines — Former Marikina mayor Marcelino Teodoro was proclaimed yesterday as representative of the city’s first district.

Teodoro was sworn in by Marikina Judge Romeo Tagra at the city hall.

Teodoro won by a landslide over former senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

Allegations of material misrepresentation hurled by Pimentel against Teodoro remained unproven, the Commission on Elections said in reversing the Comelec First Division’s ruling.

The poll body issued yesterday a certificate of finality of its decision lifting the suspension of Teodoro’s proclamation.

On Monday, Pimentel filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to stop the Comelec from proclaiming Teodoro.

Frustrated over the delay in his proclamation, Teodoro said he was eyeing criminal and administrative complaints against city election officer Dave Villarosa.

Villarosa had told Teodoro that his proclamation would be held on Friday.

Newly elected officials assumed office on Monday.

Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body’s decision affirming Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.’s victory in the city’s congressional race was questioned by his rival, Joey Uy, before the SC. — Emmanuel Tupas, Marc Jayson Cayabyab