Comelec nullifies Agoo town mayor’s proclamation

BAGUIO CITY MANILA, Philippines — A power struggle looms in Agoo, La Union after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified Frank Sibuma, who was proclaimed winner in the mayoral elections in May.

The special second division of the Comelec directed the Agoo municipal board of canvassers to annul the proclamation of Sibuma as it granted a petition to cancel his certificate of candidacy over questions of residency.

In a five-page writ of execution issued on June 29, the poll body said the board of canvassers should reconvene on July 5 to amend the certificate of canvass of votes and proclaim Sibuma’s rival Stefanie Ann Calongcagon as winner.

Sibuma garnered 21,364 votes against Calongcagon’s 16,603 votes.

Sibuma and his supporters held a vigil at the town hall on Thursday, after filing a motion for a temporary restraining order before the Supreme Court to stop his disqualification.

Police were deployed in the premises of the town hall to maintain peace and order.

Sibuma’s brother Benjamin, the mayor of Aringay, said he and his siblings were all born in the town, but his brother had reestablished his residence in Agoo before the May elections.