Laguna Governor Jeorge ER Ejercito. Photo courtesy of Scenema Concept International, Inc.
MANILA, Philippines—Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito said Thursday he was shocked and saddened by the ruling of the Commission on Elections stripping him of his post as Laguna province’s chief executive.
“It’s saddening… shocking,” Ejercito posted on Facebook. “I just hope and pray that evil politics is not behind all these.”
The Commission on Elections announced Thursday it disqualified Ejercito for spending P1.5 million more than the P4.5 million ceiling set for the gubernatorial race expenditure in Laguna in the 2013 polls.
Ejercito said he would appeal the decision. “We will explain to the honorable Comelec that their decision is not right.”
He has five days to file a motion for reconsideration.
Meantime, Ejercito said he remains the governor of Laguna.
“The Comelec decision is not yet final and executory. I am entitled to file a motion for reconsideration and pending resolution thereof, I will remain to be the governor of the province of Laguna,” he said.
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., in a statement, said the poll body’s 1st Division “resolved to disqualify the incumbent governor for campaign overspending.”
Comelec said Ejercito spent P6 million in television advertisements alone when he was only allowed to spend P4.5 million for the 1,525,522 registered voters in the province.
Under Comelec Resolution no. 9615, candidates may only spend P3 for “every voter currently registered in the constituency where the candidate filed his certificate of candidacy.” With Kristine Angeli Sabillo, INQUIRER.net
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