Unseated Lanao mayor to appeal SC decision

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte—Rommel Arnado, who was unseated from this town’s mayoral post by the Supreme Court for continuing to use his American passport even after reacquiring Philippine citizenship and renouncing his US citizenship, said he would file a motion for reconsideration of the decision as his “one last remedy.”

The disqualification case bore somewhat familiar issues with what Sen. Grace Poe, a top favorite in next year’s presidential race, is facing in the Senate Electoral Tribunal after a losing senatorial candidate in the 2013 polls questioned her citizenship and natural-born status as requirements to become an elected public official.

Arnado said he had yet to receive a copy of the Supreme Court’s en banc ruling last week but added that he would seek a review 15 days from receipt.

The ruling, he said, seemed to set aside the almost 9,000 votes he obtained for his victory in the 2013 elections, and would likely hand over his position to his rival, Florante Capitan, who had only 1,707 votes.

Arnado, who also claims to be an ally of President Aquino, was mayor of this town for two consecutive terms. However, the high court said he only reacquired his Filipino citizenship and was not qualified to run for election in 2013.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, said Arnado had been using his American passport though he had already renounced his US citizenship.

“Only natural-born Filipinos who owe total and undivided allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines could run for and hold elective public office,” the Supreme Court said.

While he is contesting the decision, Arnado said he would not rally his supporters to stage protests. “Once I filed my motion for reconsideration … and if it will be denied, I have done my job,” he said.

“It is up to the people of Kauswagan to decide whether to turn over this town to persons who have no mandate to rule over them,” he added.

A political rival, former Provincial Board Member Casan Maquiling, said the mayor should already step down following the decision. “Arnado should respect the rule of law or else he will be charged,” Maquiling said.

Capitan said he was only waiting for clearance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government before assuming the mayor’s role. This early, he said, he intends to work to unite “our constituents divided by politics” and to implement President Aquino’s “matuwid na daan (straight path)” program in Kauswagan. Richel Umel, Inquirer Mindanao