Thursday, August 21, 2008 Move to recall Ronda mayor denied
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office has denied the recall petition filed against Ronda Mayor Esteban Sia for lack of merit.
In his ruling dated July 22, Comelec Deputy Executive Director for operations Pio Jose Joson said the complainant failed to provide sufficient data such as the date of assumption of office of Mayor Sia.
Councilor Jonnah John Ungab filed the petition before the Comelec central office early this year.
Upon receipt of the ruling, Ungab immediately filed a motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse the ruling.
The case began with the recall petition filed against Sia for the alleged loss of trust and confidence by his constituents on his leadership.
Ungab blamed the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its failure to indicate the date of assumption of office of the mayor.
“Left with no choice, the undersigned petitioner, nonetheless, filed the petition for recall attaching the certification of the local DILG Officer without the indicated date of assumption into office,” Ungab wrote in his motion.
Certification
Ungab said he hoped his motion would be granted after he corrected the defect in his previous charge against the mayor.
“In view of the said new certification, the defect in the petition is deemed cured and corrected considering that by virtue of the said certification, it can now be determined that a recall election in the event the same will be granted, will take place one year after Mayor Sia assumed into office and one year preceding the next regular elections,” said Ungab. (GMD)
