Taguig mayor backs down on appeal to Comelec

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano has abandoned a plan to appeal a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution ordering the collection of ballot boxes for a recount in connection with an electoral protest filed by defeated mayoral candidate Dante Tiñga.

“It appears that there are still issues and incidents pending and unresolved before the public respondent Comelec, and which are procedurally intertwined with the issues sought to be brought before the honorable court, herein petitioner finds it prudent and practical to forego the filing of the said petition for certiorari,” read Cayetano’s manifestation filed in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Tiñga said Cayetano effectively gave up the legal battle for the retrieval of the ballot boxes.

“It does not mean, however, that the Cayetano camp will no longer resort to extralegal means such as barricades they repeatedly make use of,” he added.

The Comelec was supposed to collect and recount a total of 43 contested ballot boxes in February.

This did not push through after the Taguig government blocked the roads leading to the city hall compound.