Arnado: ‘Game not over yet’

By Bonita Ermac
and Nora sorino,
Correspondents

Kauswagan, Lanao Norte –– Disqualified Mayor Rommel Arnado, here, said “game is not over yet.” It was learned was disqualified by the Supreme Court two weeks ago for continuing to use his American passport even after reacquiring Philippine citizenship and renouncing his US citizenship.

Arnaldo said he has not received a copy of the SC ruling yet and added that “the game is not yet over” and that he would seek a review l5 days from receipt of said ruling.

The decision penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo said Arnaldo had been using his American passport though he had already renounced his US citizenship.

“Only natural-born Filipinos who owe total allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines could run for and hold elective public office,” the SC said.

The development, Arnado said is a “gross injustice to the people of Kauswagan.” And the person who is going to replace me, he added, only got l5% of the votes as compared to my 9 thousand or 84% of the votes.

Arnado was referring to Florante Capitan who he said “is just being used by another person to run against me.”

Meanwhile, Capitan, in an interview by media later said that should he now assume as mayor, he would strive to promote and achieve “true transparency in the town.”

Meanwhile, Casan Maquiling, one of the leaders in Lanao Notre who is very vocal in his position versus Arnado told media in another interview that the “SC decision is final and executory,” adding that in 2010 and in 2013 it had already come up with said decision. But the mayor was able to secure a Temporary Restraining Order against those rulings.

“He should respect the law,” Maquiling said.

Maquiling said he has been with the LP longer than the others and expressed misgivings that he and the others who are with the Liberal Party earlier than these others are in danger “of being thrown out” in favor of those who just “recently joined” the party.