Court orders Jomalig, Quezon town mayor to relinquish post

The court has ordered Jomalig, Quezon Mayor Nelmar Sarmiento to relinquish his post, peacefully vacate  and turn over the mayor's office to Rodel Espiritu, who was the "true winner" in the May 9, 2022 mayoral race.

The order dated October 28, 2022 and signed by presiding Judge Raymund Joseph Soroñgon, Regional Trial Court Branch 65 of Infanta, Quezon, proclaimed election protestor Espiritu as the true and duly elected mayor of the municipality of Jomalig  in the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections.

It also ordered Mayor Sarmiento to immediately vacate the office and pay Espiritu the costs of the election protest proceedings.

According to the order, Espiritu won by 18 votes for obtaining a total of 2,167 votes against Sarmiento's 2,149. 

Jomalig, Quezon Mayor Nelmar Sarmiento, inutusan ng korte na bumaba sa kanyang pwesto at payapa itong ibigay kay Rodel Espiritu na siyang totoong nanalo bilang alkalde. Base ito sa election protest na isinampa ni Espiritu matapos ang May 10, 2022 Elections. @dzbb @gmanews pic.twitter.com/LrXSYbiAJi

— peewee bacuño (@PeeweeBacuno) November 5, 2022

Not 'final and executory'

Commenting on the court's order, Mayor Sarmiento said he would not abdicate his post, instead he will take his lawyer's advice as the decision is not yet final and executory.

On the other hand, Mayor Espiritu thanked the court for deciding in favor of his election protest.

Espiritu is asking Sarmiento to respect the court's ruling. Otherwise, he said he would be forced to seek for police assistance to enforce the decision.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento's supporters trooped to the Jomalig municipal hall for a prayer vigil, while Jomalig residents are anxiously monitoring the political situation of their town.

Jomalig is a small island municipality, which is known for its world-class beaches. —with a report from Peewee Bacuño/LBG, GMA Integrated News