NEWSFLASH

ANGAT, BULACAN MAYOR UNSEATED

Angat, Bulacan, April 20, 2000 Angat town has a new mayor, replacing Apolonio Marcelo, who had been serving the post since being proclaimed winner of the 1998 local election.

A Regional Trial Court in Malolos, Bulacan proclaimed Tuesday LAMP candidate Angelito Vergel de Dios, as “the real winner” in the 1998 mayoral race in Angat.

In a 102-page decision, RTC Judge Arturo Tayag ruled in favor of Vergel de Dios’ electoral protest over the proclamation of Apolonio Marcelo (Lakas-NUCD) on Sept. 2, 1998 by the Municipal Board of Canvassers as the duly-elected mayor with a winning margin of 43 votes.

Based on a revision and recount of votes cast in 116 precincts, Tayag ruled that De Dios won over Marcelo by 293 votes.

The decision prompted the Marcelo camp here to set up a barricade to prevent the camp of Vergel de Dios from occupying a place at the municipal hall here.

Marcelo also filed a motion for reconsideration before the sala of Tayag, who told the media that he was still deliberating on the said motion and counter-motion.