Supporters hold vigil for embattled Laguna governor

Supporters of Laguna Governor ER Ejercito on Monday trooped to the provincial capitol to stop his impending removal from office.

“Sasamahan po namin siya sa abot ng aming makakaya,” a supporter who was among those holding the vigil said in a report on “24 Oras.”

As a show of their support, Ejercito's supporters barricaded the capitol's main gate with dump trucks and streamers.

“Haharang po kami kung kinakailangan. Kung babatuhin kami, babatuhin din namin sila,” warned another supporter.

Others credited Ejercito, nephew of former President and now Manila mayor Joseph Estrada, for the province's improving economy.

“Nag-boom po ang lalawigan ng Laguna simula nang si Gov ay maupo bilang gobernador. Bakit ngayon ay papababain ng Comelec ng ganun-ganun lang? Para kaming mga bata na aagawan ng candy. Hindi po pwede ang ganun,” one supporter said.

The report said as of 7 p.m., the Supreme Court has yet to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implementation of the Commission On Election (Comelec) ruling disqualifying Ejercito for supposed overspending during last year's elections.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. last week said the ruling, issued on May 21, will be implemented after five days unless the SC will issue a TRO on its implementation.

In its ruling, the Comelec said Ejercito spent about P6 million in just one contract for a television advertisement for his campaign when he was allowed to spend only P4.5 million for his entire campaign.

On Friday, Ejercito filed before SC a petition for TRO and for writ of preliminary injunction to declare the Comelec ruling null and void.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to implement the Comelec order on Tuesday unless Ejercito will be able to present the TRO from the high court.

Set to take over Ejercito's post is Laguna Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez.

The Laguna Provincial Police Office, meanwhile, said security measures are in place for possible tensions that might erupt in case Ejercito will not be able to secure a TRO from SC. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News