Hernandez sworn in as Laguna governor after Ejercito’s disqualification

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 11 years ago

PHOTO from Vice Governor Ramil L. Hernandez Facebook account

MANILA, Philippines—Former Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez formally took oath as new Laguna Governor on Tuesday afternoon, officially removing Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito from the post.

Last May 21, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) affirmed the disqualification and the removal of Ejercito from his post for overspending in the 2013 elections.

Hernandez said in a press briefing after the oathtaking ceremony that he was instructed by the Comelec to formally replace Ejercito “to avoid confusion.”

Assuring there were no politics involved in the replacement, he said he did not intervene with the decision of the Comelec.

“Naandito lang po ako dahil sa instruction ng Comelec (I am here only because of Comelec’s instruction),” ‎he said.

But the newly-appointed governor sought the help of some authorities to dialogue with Ejercito for a peaceful and smooth transition.

He also reiterated that he respects the right of his erstwhile superior ‎to file a petition before the Supreme Court opposing his appointment.

In a 21-page resolution, the Comelec en banc upheld the ruling of the election body’s First Division issued on Sept. 26, 2013, which found Ejercito guilty of spending beyond the limit of P4.5 million or P3 each of the more than 1.5 million registered voters in Laguna.

‎The former governor was found to have spent P6 million on one television advertisement amid election rules limiting an official’s campaign budget based on the voter population of his locality.