Disqualify Pe on term limits, Comelec urged

TEAM Rama isn’t content with the ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) first division that declared Cebu City north district Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. ineligible from seeking a fresh term in the city’s south district.

“We will file a partial motion for reconsideration on the three term limit issue. It is very vital (that the issue be resolved) not only in Cebu City but also in other local government units with many districts,” said Team Rama lawyer Jocelyn Pesquera.

The Comelec first division ruled on Pe’s disqualification based on his failure to prove his transfer of residency from Cebu City’s north district to the south district.

They said if Pe transferred residency to the south, he should no longer continue discharging the functions of a north district councilor.

But the Comelec didn’t dwell on the second issue raised by petitioners Ronald Diola and Tisha Ylaya Gonzalez.

They questioned Pe’s election bid based on his completion of three terms as north district councilor including this year.

Pesquera said the Comelec en banc has to settle the issue to set jurisprudence for the others to follow.

“It will also guide others who are thinking in the future that they will do the same thing. It’s not good to transfer from one district to another. Pe didn’t resign from his post which meant he didn’t comply with the residency requirement,” she said.

But Pesquera said the implementation of the disqualification order won’t be done outright.

“There are still remedies that Pe can avail,” she said. Pe said he has yet to receive an official copy of the first division order.

As soon as he does, Pe said he will file a motion to seek reconsideration of the suspension order.

“I would be a hypocrite if I said I wasn’t affected by the order but I will continue to campaign,” he said. Correspondent Edison delos Angeles