MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Antique Governor Exequiel Javier to vacate his post, following his disqualification two weeks ago.

On Friday, January 23, the Comelec en banc issued a four-page writ of execution ordering Javier “to cease and desist from performing the functions as Governor of Antique.” The writ was signed by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr.

The Comelec directed the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the regional election director of Region VI, and the provincial election supervisor of Antique to immediately implement the writ of execution and report back within 5 days from service of the order.

Javier of the Liberal Party (LP) was disqualified by the Comelec on January 12 by the Comelec on the basis of “coercion” of a subordinate. He had suspended Valderrama town mayor Mary Joyce Roquero, a political rival, in January 2013.

Roquero’s suspension within the election period of the 2013 midterm polls was also prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

Javier’s case was elevated to the en banc in October 2013, after the Comelec Second Division failed to obtain a majority vote to resolve the issue.

Javier asked the Supreme Court on January 20 to stop his suspension, but the High Court did not issue a temporary restraining order and only asked the Comelec to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, on January 21, petitioners Cornelio Aldon and Raymundo Roquero filed a very urgent motion before the Comelec for the issuance of a writ of execution.

Aldon was Javier’s opponent in the 2013 gubernatorial race, while Roquero was former mayor of Valderrama and husband of incumbent mayor Mary Joyce, who was reelected in 2013.

Vice Governor Rhodora Cadiao will replace Javier, following the rules on vacancies and succession under the Local Government Code. – Rappler.com