Lakas provincial chairman, outgoing Rep. Herminio Teves (3rd district, Oriental Negros), questioned the act of the Commission on Elections in deciding the citizenship issue of 1st Dist. candidate Jocelyn Limkaichong.

"It looks funny," Teves said, referring to the joint resolution the COMELEC promulgated on May 17, which arrived at 8:57 p.m. of the same day that Limkaichong was winning in the election.

Teves said he believes the transport of the election returns from Guihulngan town, about 116 kilometers from Dumaguete City, was purposely delayed so the decision could catch up before Limkaichong's proclamation. Teves said the matter of citizenship should be decided by the court and not by the COMELEC, citing the Angpin citizenship case on which the court exercised jurisdiction.

Through her legal counsel, Limkaichong is seeking a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals. If not, "We can use people power," Teves said.

Teves is also questioning the jurisdiction of the 2nd division of the Comelec on matters arising in the Visayas, because he was told that the Visayas is under the 3rd division.

In the first district, the people love their mayors but are critical of the Parases, Teves pointed out.

It is for this reason that even without a mayor under her, Limkaichong won by a considerable margin against the two Parases, he added.*JG/RG

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