BAGUIO CITY – A status quo ante order was issued by Supreme Court en banc favoring petition of Baguio City mayoralty candidate, incumbent Councilor Atty. Edgar Avila who’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC) is rejected by COMELEC en banc.
SC’s resolution dated April 11, 2019 stopped the enforcement of COMELEC Resolution No. 19-0286 which disregarded the COCs of Avila and 24 other candidates in the country for using old COC form.
The counsel for petitioner Avila filed Petition for Certiorari with Prayer for the Issuance of Status Quo Ante Order before the SC on April 10, 2019.
Petitioner argued, among others that lack of due process, complete compliance of his COC and ‘error in form’ is not a ground for his disqualification.
Avila’s camp said the SC order clears all doubts about the validity of his COC and thus, continues to be a qualified candidate for mayor and all votes cast in his favor will be counted and not considered stray.
The SC resolution stated that the petition of Avila appears to be sufficient in form and substance.
The issued order is effective immediately and will continue until further orders from the High Court.
SC also required the respondent, COMELEC to comment on the petition.
