MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified yesterday that it has not yet come up with a decision on the disqualification case of Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said there was no truth to reports that Ejercito got a “reprieve” from the poll body.
“The Comelec did not issue any ‘suspension order’ against Gov. Ejercito. His motion for reconsideration on his disqualification is still pending,” he said.
“ER Ejercito gets a reprieve? I think we just got ninjitsu-ed,” he added.
Last September, the Comelec’s First Division unseated Ejercito from his post after finding that he allegedly overspent during his campaign in last year’s elections.
The decision stemmed from a petition for disqualification filed against him by rival Edgar San Luis of the Liberal Party.
San Luis complained that Ejercito was allowed to spend only P4.5 million or P3 for each of the 1,525,522 voters in Laguna, but he actually spent more than P20 million.
The Comelec found merit in San Luis’ petition.