Mayor sees partial victory in Gov. Javier disqualification

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Joyce Roquero of Valderrama town said the recent Comelec decision to disqualify and nullify the poll victory of Antique Governor Exequiel Javier was only half the battle won.

Last January 13, the Comelec en banc voted 4-2-1 in granting the petition of Cornelio Aldon and Raymundo Roquero to disqualify Javier for violating the Omnibus Election Code.

In a five-page resolution, the Comelec stated Javier had suspended Raymundo Roquero "to coerce, intimidate, compel or influence the latter to collaborate with or campaign for the former, or to punish the latter for having manifested political opposition against the former."

Vice Governor Rhodora Cadiao had replaced Javier, who could still appeal the ruling before the Supreme Court.

Mayor Roquero said: "That's just an administrative sanction. I want his (Javier) perpetual disqualification to hold office." Violations of election laws are punishable with imprisonment of one to six years without probation, while carrying also a penalty of disqualification from public office, she said.

On Sept. 3, 2013, the Comelec en banc found probable cause to indict Javier following Mayor Roquero's complaint that the former violated the Omnibus Election Code when he suspended her.

The mayor said it was a separate case from the administrative case filed by Aldon and Raymundo Roquero, which caused the disqualification of the governor. "I believe that I have a strong case against him," she added.

Mayor Roquero earlier said her suspension by Javier was politically-motivated because she ran under the United Nationalist Alliance while Javier was with the Liberal Party.

She went on to win the mayoralty, while her husband Rey, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office director, also ran against Javier's son, Paolo, for Antique's lone congressional district.  — Jennifer P. Rendon (FREEMAN)