Reyes told to vacate her office
By Rey E. Requejo | Posted 12 hours ago | 1,135 viewsReposted from Manila Standard Today
The rival of disqualified Marinduque Rep. Regina Ongsiako-Reyes on Friday urged her to vacate her post and respect the Supreme Court ruling disqualifying her in their congressional elections in May.
Former Rep. Lord Allan Velasco said Reyes could face disbarment and criminal prosecution for usurpation of official functions under the Penal Code should she fail to comply with the ruling.
He also appealed to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the House leadership to implement the final and rulings of the Comelec and the Supreme Court and to recognize him as the duly elected congressman representing the lone district of Marinduque.
“Notwithstanding [the high court ruling], Reyes still clings to the position, publicly declaring that she will not obey the decision of the high court,” Velasco said in a statement.
“This open defiance is clearly appalling especially coming from a lawyer who has sworn, as it were, to obey the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities.”
Velasco said Reyes was also exposing herself to a possible violation of the Constitution and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act as a result of her clinging on to the post.
