Opinion. HOW SUPREME IS THE SUPREME COURT?

BY FRANK E. DOSDOS JR.

After the Supreme Court shall have decided but some of the parties do not comply what would be the remedy?

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In Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, the High Court has declared the American Citizen disqualified twice from running for any local government position.  Now, he is still Mayor.

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In Pantar, the Mayor was dismissed and replaced by the DILG because he was convicted of an administrative case while he was still a barangay captain.  The Supreme Court ruled that he was qualified to run as Mayor in the 2010 and 2013 Elections because his administrative case as barangay captain does not affect his candidacy for Mayor.

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Now Pantar has two Mayors – the one installed by the DILG and and that elected by the people twice.  Neither one would budge.

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In Iigan City, the Mayor was suspended for 6 months due to Grave Abuse of Authority.  He was charged of Multiple Murder and Multiple Furstrated Murder while under suspension. And a Warrant for his arrest issued from the Court.

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He went at large but surrendered before the last day of his suspension and was promptly detained at the City Jail. He wants to resume work.

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Now, the City has two Mayors – one in jail and the other the Vice Mayor who has been Acting Mayor while the Mayor was away.

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The DILG came up with a letter to the Acting Mayor that in their opinion the latter must continue to function in his capacity because the Mayor is legally incapacitated due to his suspension citing jurisprudence in similar cases.

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The detained Mayor insists that he is now the Mayor because his suspension had been served.

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Thus, Iligan has two Mayors now.o o oThe impasse in the cases mentioned needs to be solved.  But how?