BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
There is no need for the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement, nor issue a document, or perform any positive act amounting to installing Roel Ragay Degamo as governor of Negros Oriental, as the Commission on Elections, under its authority, has already proclaimed him as winner, stressed DILG Secretary Benjamen “Benhur” Abalos Jr.
In his issued memorandum to DILG-7 regional director Leocadio Trovela, Abalos said “This Department has no power to question the issuance of the Comelec, nor rule, on the issue raised by Hon. (Henry Pryde) Teves.”
The camp of Teves has filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) before the Supreme Court, contesting the nullification of his proclamation.
Mr. Teves may opt to avail himself of the remedies afforded to him by the law i.e. (that is) filing of an appeal under Rule 64, in relation to Rule 65 of the Rules of Court with prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order, Abalos said, adding that the issue of jurisdiction should be raised to the proper authority.
Teves questioned the jurisdiction of the Comelec to annul his proclamation on the ground that he was not a party to the case filed before the Comelec by Degamo.
Unless otherwise ruled, Abalos said that the Comelec issuance stands.
Degamo recently took his oath as governor of the province before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang.
The nullification of Teves’ proclamation came after the Comelec en banc declared Grego Degamo, whose real name is Grego Gaudia and used the name Ruel Degamo in the ballot, a nuisance candidate. Votes for him were credited by the Comelec to Roel Ragay Degamo.
Trovela sought guidance from Abalos, relative to the proclamation of Degamo on October 3 as the duly elected governor of Negros Oriental, pursuant to the Writ of Execution issued by the Comelec en banc on September 27.
Abalos ordered DILG regional office 7 and its provincial office in Negros Oriental “to guide and assist in the smooth and proper turnover, and/or transition of duties, responsibilities, as well as the programs, projects and documents started by Teves, to the newly proclaimed Governor, Hon. Degamo.”
Degamo posted in his social media account “I hope this letter is what you have been waiting for your peaceful exit. The people of Negros Oriental deserves it.”*
