ANOTHER WIN FOR MABATID: COURT DISMISSES MOTION TO SUSPEND HER PROCLAMATION

Judge Monalila Tecson has struck down an attempt by a defeated candidate for barangay captain who sought for an “immediate suspension” of the proclamation of Prisca Niña Mabatid as the winning village chief of Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City. Tecson of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 denied for lack of merit lawyer Daniel Francis Arguedo’s motion for summary judgment and immediate suspension of Mabatid’s proclamation. “This court finds the motion properly deniable because Arguedo failed to discharge the other burden that Mabatid’s defense was interposed solely for the purpose of delay,” read Tecson’s omnibus order. Arguedo filed a quo warranto petition seeking to annul the proclamation of Mabatid. Arguedo argued that Mabatid allegedly failed to comply with the residency requirement when she ran for barangay captain last May. Arguedo lost to Mabatid by 1,464 votes. In his petition, Arguedo said that Mabatid resides in Sunflower Drive in Sunny Hills in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City as shown in her pleadings filed in court and other public documents submitted to various government agencies. “Respondent falsely provided material information by stating in her certificate of candidacy that she is a resident of Pope John Paul Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City,” said Arguedo. Arguedo asked the court to annul Mabatid’s proclamation and declare her as ineligible to hold office in Barangay Mabolo. But Judge Tecson ruled to deny Arguedo’s motion for being “improper and unmeritorious.” The judge also ordered to proceed with the hearing of the petition as scheduled.