SC affirms Batangas mayor’s ouster

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the ouster of Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan of Mataasnakahoy town in Batangas.

In a ruling promulgated on Tuesday, the high court upheld the decision of the Commission on Elections nullifying Ilagan’s proclamation in favor of Gualberto Silva.

The SC also agreed with the decision of the poll body to disqualify Ilagan for misrepresentation for filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) while he was a fugitive.

Ilagan went into hiding after he was charged with rape and human trafficking. A 19- year- old woman, who worked at a hair salon in Quezon City, accused Ilagan of raping her in a pension house in Ormoc City on Nov. 5, 2013.

The high tribunal rejected Ilagan’s claim that he was not a fugitive when he filed his COC.

Vice Mayor Henry Laqui filed the disqualification case, saying Ilagan went into hiding in 2014 after the court issued a warrant of arrest.

Ilagan surrendered in January. He is being held at the Ormoc City jail. By EDU PUNAY