In a statement, Macalintal cited precedents in which the Supreme Court decided in favor of the “voice of the people” in cases wherein the law is not clear.
Last May 26, the Comelec en banc ordered the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Morales in last year’s May elections, saying the mayor had already finished three successive terms allowed by law. Morales had argued that he was entitled to three more terms as city, no longer municipal mayor, after Mabalacat was declared a component city in 2012.
Morales has petitioned the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order against the Comelec verdict. The high court is expected to review all documents submitted by the contending parties to the Comelec.
“The voice of the people is the voice of God. This means that if the people of Mabalacat voted for him in 2016, whatever case filed against him could be dismissed by the Supreme Court because the people have already spoken,” Macalintal said.
Macalintal said “the Supreme Court may commit mistakes, but the people never.”
“This is why I believe that Mayor Morales will finish his term as he was elected by the people in 2016, and also on the basis of the Supreme Court doctrine,” he added.
The Comelec decision was unanimous in unseating Morales and directing the Mabalacat board of canvassers to swear in as mayor former provincial board member Chris Garbo who got the second highest vote in last year’s mayoral polls here.
The complaint against Morales, however, was filed by businesswoman Pyra Lucas, who landed fourth in the mayoral elections.
Morales has been mayor of Mabalacat since 1995, his term interrupted only briefly by political protests that worked to his advantage to allow him to remain in power as the country’s longest mayoral termer.
