Palace urges aspiring candidates to abide by election rules

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda

MANILA — Malacanang on Wednesday advised other aspiring candidates to abide by the rules, procedures and requirements of the elections to avoid the fate suffered by disqualified Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito.

“Can it be overemphasized that we should clearly abide by the election rules, election procedure, and election requirements? So that whatever happened to Governor ER Ejercito may not befall them as well,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing.

Lacierda also downplayed Ejercito’s accusation that the Palace was behind his ouster.

“We certainly did not have a role in whatever happened to Governor Ejercito… If you read the decision of the Comelec (Commission on Elections), and the Comelec has explained its decision, it’s very, very clear for the basis for disqualifying Governor ER Ejercito.

I think the decision speaks for itself,” he said.

Lacierda stressed that the candidate of administration’s Liberal Party did not assume the position of acting governor, but Laguna Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez took his oath of office.

The Comelec disqualified Ejercito for election overspending after shelling out P23.56 million for his entire campaign.

Candidates are only allowed to spend P3 per registered voter. With Laguna’s total 1,525,522 voters, Ejercito should not have spent over P4.

58 million.