Bayatan: It’s impossible to get a reversal

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Supreme Court en banc recently dismissed the appeal filed by former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella challenging the earlier dismissal of his poll protest following the 2016 Bacolod City mayoral election that saw Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia earn 120,231 votes to Puentevella’s 97,993.

According to the decision, the petition lacked components, including required docket and other fees amounting to P200; a duplicate original or certified true copy of the initial dismissal; and “competent evidence” of the individual testifying the petitioner was not forum shopping, or seeking a venue that would provide a favorable decision.

The lack of documents ultimately led to the dismissal of the petition.

City Legal Officer, Atty. Joselito Bayatan, who serves as Leonardia’s legal counsel, said a reversal of the court’s initial decision was impossible.

“The huge and landslide margin won by Leonardia is impossible to get a reversal,” he asserted./DGB, WDJ