SC stops proclamation of Stefanie Calongcagon as Agoo, La Union mayor

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution proclaiming Stefanie Ann Eriguel-Calongcagon as mayor of Agoo town in La Union.

The TRO and status quo ante order issued by the high court stemmed from the petition filed by Calongcagon's rival, Frank Ong Sibuma, whose certificate of candidacy was nullified by the poll body. 

In a two-page order bearing the TRO and status quo ante order, the high court required the poll body and Calongcagon to comment on the petition within 10 days.

“Now, therefore, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court, you, respondents Comelec, Alma L. Panelo, and Stefanie Ann Eriguel Calongcagon… are hereby enjoined from implementing the assailed Comelec resolution,” the high court said.

The Comelec earlier issued a directive revoking Sibuma's certificate of candidacy after he allegedly failed to meet the residency requirements for the May 9 elections.

The poll body directed the Agoo Municipal Board of Canvassers to annul the proclamation of Sibuma as mayor. It also ordered the Board to instead proclaim Calongcagon as the duly elected mayor.

READ: TRO in G.R. No. 261344 (Sibuma v. COMELEC, Panelo and Calongcagon) pic.twitter.com/ZSlSwbFNdn

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) July 6, 2022

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said his office has received a copy of the TRO.

“The same has been referred to the OSG task force for Comelec cases for study and coordination with the Comelec,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters on Wednesday.—LDF/VBL, GMA News