Winner in mayoral race faces term limit violation charges
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES—For allegedly exceeding his term as mayor, newly proclaimed Mayor Romeo Lonzanida was charged by his closest rival with violating the rules on term limits.
In a complaint filed with the regional trial court in Iba town, losing mayoral candidate, Dr. Estela Antipolo, said Lonzanida has exceeded his term of office as mayor of San Antonio.
Antipolo said Lonzanida was mayor in 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004 and now 2007.
Three other residents also filed a complaint seeking the disqualification of Lonzanida for exceeding his term.
Ernie del Rosario, Corazon Canonizado and Zoraida Fonseca asked the court to stop Lonzanida from assuming his post as they claimed that it would be his sixth term as mayor.
“This case is a clear and outright violation of Section 43 of the Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160) stating that ‘no local elective official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position,” they said.
In her complaint, Antipolo said: “Ironically, this is a fact in our town where the seemingly endless cycle of doubtful events continues to prevail in our place even at this time.”
“I stand by my townmates’ prayers and resoluteness for me to pursue truth, justice and freedom in our place,” she said.
The Inquirer could not reach Lonzanida for comment. But his staff said they would answer the charges in the proper forum.
Lonzanida got 7,687 votes in the May 14 elections while Antipolo received 4,615 votes.
In a complaint filed with the regional trial court in Iba town, losing mayoral candidate, Dr. Estela Antipolo, said Lonzanida has exceeded his term of office as mayor of San Antonio.
Antipolo said Lonzanida was mayor in 1988, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004 and now 2007.
Three other residents also filed a complaint seeking the disqualification of Lonzanida for exceeding his term.
Ernie del Rosario, Corazon Canonizado and Zoraida Fonseca asked the court to stop Lonzanida from assuming his post as they claimed that it would be his sixth term as mayor.
“This case is a clear and outright violation of Section 43 of the Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160) stating that ‘no local elective official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position,” they said.
In her complaint, Antipolo said: “Ironically, this is a fact in our town where the seemingly endless cycle of doubtful events continues to prevail in our place even at this time.”
“I stand by my townmates’ prayers and resoluteness for me to pursue truth, justice and freedom in our place,” she said.
The Inquirer could not reach Lonzanida for comment. But his staff said they would answer the charges in the proper forum.
Lonzanida got 7,687 votes in the May 14 elections while Antipolo received 4,615 votes.
Inquirer
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