DILG, local poll bodies told: Remove Antique gov

ILOILO CITY—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued an order directing the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the poll body’s regional and provincial offices to implement its order removing Antique Gov. Exequiel Javier from his post.

In a four-page writ of execution dated Jan. 23, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr.

ordered the concerned agencies and offices to served the Comelec en banc’s order annulling the proclamation of Javier.

The Comelec order also directs Javier to “cease and desist” from performing the functions of governor of the province.

No copy received

In the writ, Brillantes noted that the poll body has not received a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court stopping its Jan. 12 order disqualifying Javier for violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Brillantes earlier said the province’s vice governor, Rhodora Cadiao, would take over Javier’s position.

Cadiao will serve the remainder of Javier’s term which will end on June next year.

Victorio Pagapulan, DILG Antique director, said his office had not received a copy of the writ as of Friday.

The Comelec en banc had ruled that Javier violated the Omnibus Election Code for ordering the suspension of Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero of Valderrama town in Antique during the 2013 election period.

The law prohibits the suspension of any elective official during the election period without the approval of the Comelec or unless the suspension is related to graft and corruption.