CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Eddie Panlilio said Monday that the poll body is again “speeding up” the decision on the motion for execution pending appeal filed by former board member Lilia Pineda’s camp.
Pineda’s legal counsel, George Irwin Garcia, filed the motion for execution two weeks ago, or the Friday after the February 11 promulgation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 2007-04 declaring the former three-term Lubao mayor the real winner in the 2007 gubernatorial race in Pampanga.
Panlilio, on the other hand, filed his motion for reconsideration the following Monday, just in time for the five-day allowable period.
Reports were afloat this week that a decision was to be handed down Tuesday by the Comelec’s Second Division led by presiding commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.
“Minamadali nila dahil siguro, sabi nila malapit na ang elections. But I hope they will elevate it first sa en banc,” Panlilio said during a press conference at Capitol with the La Salle-Ateneo at Marami Pa coalition.
In a separate interview, Panlilio told Sun.Star Pampanga: “Nag-file kami ng motion for reconsideration, nagfile sila ng motion for execution pending appeal on February 12. Nagkaroon ng hearing last Thursday at binigyan ang kampo naming ng palugit na two days, which was Friday and today [Monday]. Anytime today or after today, malalaman natin ang pagpapasya ng Second Division kung itutuloy nila ang execution pending appeal or pending reconsideration.”
The priest-turned-governor added that if the Comelec will be following what it did in the case of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Bulacan Governor Jonjon Mendoza, “the same thing will happen to us.”
“Meaning to say, the MR and the motion for execution pending appeal will be brought to the en banc of Comelec. Although the other way can also happen like the Second Division could go on with the motion for execution pending appeal. Of course, that’s their call. On one hand, minamadali nila ito,” Panlilio said. (Jovi T. De Leon)