Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Pecson sues Cunanan By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Regional Trial Court (RTC)-proclaimed Magalang Mayor Romulo Pecson has charged the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-proclaimed Mayor Lyndon Cunanan with usurpation of authority and sedition.
Pecson filed the charges against Cunanan last Monday before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
Pecson stated in his complaints Cunanan continued to discharge the functions of a local chief executive using the Office of the Municipal Mayor from March 11 to April 11 this year "despite the lack of authority."
Cunanan, on the other hand, said the accusations filed by Pecson against him were "baseless."
Cunanan said his camp has yet to receive a copy of the complaints filed by Pecson.
"Once we receive it we will answer it in proper court," he stressed.
Cunanan also cited the pending case before the Comelec national office on the "legitimacy" of the court's ruling that Pecson is the real winner in the May 2007 mayoralty election here.
He said the election body, pending the final resolution of the electoral case, has ordered a status quo -- that Magalang has two mayors who should not do anything until the Comelec finally decides on their case.
In his complaints, Pecson claimed that Cunanan violated Articles 177 (Usurpation of Authority) and 139 (Sedition) of the Revised Penal Code.
He said Cunanan had prevented him from exercising his duties as "incumbent municipal mayor of Magalang town."
Pecson took his oath of office as the local chief executive in Magalang last March 11 after the RTC issued its decision that he was the real winner in the last mayoralty election.
Cunanan refused to vacate the mayor's office and brought his case before the Comelec.
