New Mabalacat city mayor assumes post

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga , Philippines   – The new mayor of this city has been installed.

Chris Garbo assumed his post yesterday after the Angeles City regional trial court (RTC) denied the petition to extend the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a local court on Tuesday stopping his installation.

RTC Branch 59 Judge Irineo Pangilinan said he found no merit in extending the TRO issued by Angeles RTC Judge Omar Viola. Vice Mayor Christian Halili sought the TRO, saying he should succeed Marino Morales.

In a resolution issued on May 25, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified Morales from running, saying he had served for three consecutive terms from 2007 to 2013. The poll body said Garbo, who obtained the second highest number of votes, should replace Morales, noting that the rule of succession does not apply in the case.

Halili served as officer-in-charge after the Comelec issued the resolution.

The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the petition of Morales questioning the Comelec  ruling.

Morales said he did not exceed the three-term limit, noting that Mabalacat became a city only on July 12, 2012 under Republic Act 10164.