EDITORIAL - A huge gamble

The Commission on Elections en banc has finally issued a writ of execution to disqualify the candidacy of Cebu City Councilor Alvin Arcilla in the May 13 elections. This means Arcilla’s victory in the polls is not valid as he is barred from running for re-election.

In its earlier decision, the Comelec en banc ruled that the North District councilor cannot run for the same position in the last elections since he already consumed the allowable three consecutive terms in office.

It can be recalled that Arcilla and another third-termer partymate, Councilor Sisinio Andales, ran for re-election in the recent polls. They contended that since their term had been interrupted by a suspension, they were eligible to run again.

However, acting on a case filed by a concerned citizen against Arcilla and Andales, the Comelec en banc ruled that the two councilors of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan cannot run due to the three-term prohibition.

The commission has yet to decide with finality on Andales’ case. However, many expect he will suffer the same fate as Arcilla. Adding insult to injury, their replacement will come from the camp of their political opponents.

This is definitely a big blow to outgoing Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the BOPK councilors who are supposed to be the majority at the City Council but are at risk of becoming the minority once Arcilla and Andales have been replaced.

It was really a huge gamble on the part of Osmeña and the BOPK to field Arcilla and Andales in the last elections. Perhaps, they were too confident that Arcilla and Andales can comfortably weather any petition against their candidacies.

The Comelec en banc has spoken with finality and Arcilla has to go. As for Andales, he is also expected to get the same ruling from the poll body. Unless he secures a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, Andales’ immediate exit seems to be imminent.