Tension grips Jaen, Nueva Ecija over '2 mayors'

Tension gripped Jaen town in Nueva Ecija during a confrontation of supporters of political rivals who are vying for the position of mayor at the municipal hall, according to the Tuesday report of Marisol Abdurraman on Saksi.

The supporters of former mayor Sylvia Austria can be seen in a video entering the Jaen municipal hall compound and were met by the supporters of incumbent Mayor Antonio Esquivel on Monday.

Austria's supporters trooped to the municipal hall bearing a copy of the resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan, which recognizes her as the duly elected mayor.

Austria was declared the winner in the May 2019 elections but she stepped down from office by December after the Regional Trial Court Branch 87 handed down a decision in favor of Esquivel's election protest.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) second division, on January 12, 2021 issued a status quo ante-order reinstating Austria as the mayor of Jaen.

Esquivel, however, does not accept the Comelec order and the resolution of the Sangguniang Bayan.

"A piece of scrap paper. Papano magre-resolution ang Sanggunian para magtanggal ng mayor. Medyo imposible yata 'yun," said Esquivel.

Austria, on the other hand, said "Ako'y naniniwala na ang aking katunggali ay bababa sa kanyang posisyon. Dahil wala siyang karapatan na manatili sa posisyon dahil siya'y hindi tunay na punong bayan ng Jaen."

The Philippine National Police (PNP) deployed additional personnel at the Jaen municipal hall.

"Habang wala pa 'yung guidance ng DILG at ng headquarters, ime-maintain namin ang peace and order," said Police Colonel Marvin Joe Saro, OIC Provincial Director PPO.

Esquivel assured that despite the political tension the transactions at the municipal hall will continue. -- BAP, GMA News