New Nueva Ecija town mayor assumes post

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — Mayor Sylvia Austria of Jaen, Nueva Ecija stepped down from her post on Monday following a court ruling affirming the victory of her rival in the 2019 elections.

Officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Central Luzon and Nueva Ecija offices installed Antonio Esquivel, who has been holding office at the treasurer’s office since Dec. 7 after the Gapan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 87 ruled in favor of his election protest against Austria.

The court nullified Austria’s proclamation and issued a certificate of finality and writ of execution on Dec. 16.

Police officers were on standby to avert violence between the supporters of the two leaders as Austria remained in her office despite the court ruling.

Esquivel was declared winner after a ballot recount showed he garnered 18,737 votes as against Austria’s 14,392 votes.

Austria said  she is ”temporarily stepping down to maintain peace and order” even as she vowed to appeal the court ruling.

On Sunday, two explosions ripped through the municipal hall in Barangay Sapang as police were securing the area. Probers recovered nails and bottles used as shrapnels, motorcycle batteries and gasoline residue at the scene. – Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro