Court stops installation of new Pampanga mayor

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga, Philippines – The installation of the new mayor of this city is expected to be stalled after a local court issued a temporary restraining order yesterday.

The Angeles City regional trial court issued the TRO in response to a petition filed by Vice Mayor Christian Halili who claims he should replace Marino Morales, who was disqualified from running after serving for three consecutive terms.  

The court said the Department of the Interior and Local Government should keep the status quo with Halili as officer-in-charge.

Former provincial board member Cris Garbo, who obtained the second highest number of votes in the elections last year, was scheduled to take his oath today after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed him yesterday.

The Comelec said the rule of succession in favor of Halili is not applicable.

Meanwhile, Garbo vowed to appeal the ruling, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the case.