But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr is still 'studying' whether to swear in Lord Allan Velasco to replace his (Belmonte's) party mate Regina Ongsiako Reyes
by Patty Pasion, Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The House of
Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) on Wednesday, January 27, upheld its
earlier ruling that effectively disqualifies Marinduque Representative Regina
Ongsiako Reyes.
The HRET decision came a day after the
Supreme Court (SC) also maintained its earlier ruling that “denied with
finality” the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives,
through its Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), in favor of Reyes.
This was confirmed to Rappler by at least two
members of the HRET.
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| Marinduque Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco |
Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco
had protested Reyes' assumption to office as congresswoman. The Commission on
Elections (Comelec) had cancelled Reyes’s certificate of candidacy on the
grounds that she was a naturalized American citizen during the 2013 elections.
Last December 14, the HRET voted 4-3 that the
protest was no longer under its jurisdiction. It in turn acknowledged the High
Court's decision that Reyes is considered disqualified from the 2013 polls.
Reyes' camp had contended that the HRET's
ruling was invalid. They said that Gabriela RepresentativeLuzviminda Ilagan,
who voted in favor of Velasco, was no longer a lawmaker when the decision was
rendered.
Reyes’ lawyer Harry Roque claimed that Ilagan
is considered resigned from her post as a member of the 16th Congress after she
filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) to run as Davao City councilor last
October 12. (READ: After SC ruling, will the House swear in Velasco as
Marinduque rep?)
Ilagan defended that the rule only is only
applicable to party-list representatives shifting political affiliation or
sectoral representation. It didn't apply to her because she is seeking a local
government post in 2016, and she can finish her term in the 16th Congress.
“We hope this decision clears all doubt on
the validity of the decision made last December 14 as well as any misconception
on the legitimacy of the vote rendered by Gabriela Women’s Party Rep.
Luzviminda Ilagan on the aforementioned petition against Ongsiako-Reyes,” said
Gabriela lawyer Minerva Lopez.
On Wednesday, Iloilo City Representative
Jerry Trenas, another HRET member, confirmed that the tribunal denied Reyes's
motion to annul HRET's December 14 decision.
SC final ruling: Install Velasco
On January 12, the SC voted 8-1-6 to
recognize Velasco as the rightful winner of the 2013 congressional election.
The SC ordered Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr
and the OSG to allow Velasco to take his oath and be part of the roster of the
elected House members.
The ruling also stressed that Reyes’s oath as
Marinduque representative was invalid because she had no valid certificate of
candidacy when she was sworn into office.
"Comelec in SPC No. 13-010 cancelled
respondent Reyes' proclamation and, in turn, proclaimed Velasco as the duly
elected member of the House of Representatives,” said the decision released
January 12.
On Tuesday, January 26, the High Court denied
with finality Reyes' motion for reconsideration of its January 12 ruling.
Still under study
Despite the clear HRET and SC rulings in
favor of Velasco, Speaker Belmonte said the House leadership is still mulling
whether to swear in Velasco.
“We are still studying it. But we will
definitely decide before we adjourn,” Feliciano told Rappler in a text message.
Belmonte is the party mate of Reyes. They
both belong to the ruling Liberal Party.
The Speaker had twice defied rulings to
install Velasco. – Rappler.com
