Teves steps down to make way for Degamo as Negros Oriental governor

Roel Degamo (left) takes over as Negros Oriental governor as Henry Teves steps down following a Comelec ruling. (Photos from their Facebook accounts)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — Unseated Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves formally stepped down from his post at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Teves made the decision after the Supreme Court  “took no action” on his application for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would have prevented his rival, Roel Degamo, from assuming office as governor of the province.

“He opted to step down from his post today because he doesn’t want to hamper government services because of a power dispute between him and Degamo, ”’ said Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio.

In a press briefer released on Tuesday, the high court said it granted the motion for additional time of 30 days to file consolidated comments filed by the Office of the Solicitor General for the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The application for a TRO in the petition was also taken up during the deliberations today and the court took no action, according to the SC.

The Comelec en banc declared Degamo as the new governor of Negros Oriental after the votes of nuisance candidate Grego Gaudia, who used the name “Ruel Degamo,” was nullified in favor of the former.

Degamo is expected to assume his post within the week.

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