Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Friday, October 7, advised Henry Pryde Teves to recognize the authority of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which directed him to step down as governor of Negros Oriental.
While the Comelec has proclaimed Roel Degamo as the rightful governor of Negros Oriental, Teves said he will only step down if ordered by Supreme Court.
The SC is expected to convene on October 11 to rule on Teves’ application for a temporary restraining order on the Comelec ruling in favor of Degamo.
“In the absence of a TRO or a ruling from a high court, the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) finds no reason to prevent Degamo from assuming his office as governor of Negros Oriental as COMELEC under its authority has already proclaimed him winner”, Abalos said in a statement Friday.
Abalos advised Teves “to respect and adhere to the COMELEC ruling and recognize the supremacy and authority of the Commission in election-related issues to ensure the continuous delivery of public services in the province for the sake of Negrenses”.
He also directed DILG VII Regional Director Leocadio R. Trovela and the DILG Negros Oriental provincial office to facilitate the smooth transition of duties and responsibilities from Teves to Degamo in compliance with the Writ of Execution issued by the Comelec En Banc on September 7.
However, Teves continued to carry out his functions as governor of Negros Oriental on Friday.
Degamo took his oath as governor of Negros Oriental before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 5 *