The Commission on Elections en banc on Friday denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Jocelyn Limkaichong to its joint resolution promulgated May 17, 2007, disqualifying her as candidate for representative of the first district of Oriental Negros, on citizenship grounds.

Four election commissioners signed the earlier resolution, and the COMELEC en banc resolution dated June 29, 2007, came a day before Limkaichong took her oath of office before Finance Secretary Margarito "Gary" Teves, along with other provincial officials at the Negros Oriental Convention Center, in Dumaguete City. The en banc resolution was signed by COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos, and Commissioners Florentino Tuason Jr., Rene Sarmiento and Nicodemo Ferrer. Two commissioners, Romeo Brawner and Resurreccion Borra, had issued dissenting opinions on the matter.

Commenting on this development, former Congressman Jing Paras said, "My family will fight to the end, if the first district will be represented by a non-Filipino."

Paras said he believes no amount of proclamation or oath-taking can change the citizenship of Limkaichong, and added that he hopes she would respect the decision. At the same time he challenged her to appeal the decision before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the same Comelec en banc resolution also denied the petition filed by defeated congressional candidate Olive Paras to sit as representative of the first district in view of the disqualification.

A second placer cannot assume the post, the COMELEC said.*JG

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