DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. has ordered Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves to respect the ruling of the Commission on Elections and allow former Gov. Roel Ragay Degamo to assume his post.
The DILG chief directed the regional office in jurisdiction of Negros Oriental to facilitate the smooth transition of duties in the province following a ruling from the Commission of Elections proclaiming Degamo as the duly-elected governor.
The Comelec en banc issued a writ of execution on September 7, 2022 declaring Degamo as the official winner in the May 9 elections.
Abalos ordered Region VII Director Leocadio Trovela and the DILG Negros Oriental Provincial Office to lead the transition of duties and responsibilities from Teves to Degamo.
The Comelec has invalidated Teves’ victory after crediting the votes obtained by a nuisance candidate “Ruel Degamo” to the official gubernatorial candidate, Roel Ragay Degamo.
Degamo took his oath of office on Wednesday before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Malacanang Palace.According to Abalos, in the absence of a temporary restraining order from a High Court, the DILG finds no reason to prevent Degamo from assuming his office as governor of Negros Oriental as per Comelec ruling.
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