TAYUG– Supporters of Vice Mayor Janet Zaragoza have been holding a 24-hour vigil outside her office to ensure that her opponent in the May 2007 election, former vice mayor Madelyn Cabotaje-Ramirez, does not take over the post.

A Regional Trial Court (RTC), ruling on an election protest filed by Ramirez, recently declared Ramirez as the winner in a decision issued on October 7.

Zaragoza filed an appeal to reverse the decision of RTC Judge Emma Ines-Parajas and her lawyers indicated they are prepared to bring the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

“I will vacate my post if the procedures are in order once the higher court already says that it is final and executory and I should vacate my position, I will not endanger the lives of my supporters,” she said.

Zaragosa’s supporters started their stake out following rumors that Ramirez plans to claim her position “by force”.

‘The rumor is the other camp will take over so when my supporters heard about, it they came here to show support,” Zaragosa told local newsmen.

Agents of the police Provincial Mobile Group have been fielded at the site.

Based on the final count of the Municipal Board of Canvassers, Zaragoza won by 47 votes against Ramirez but the RTC ruled that the latter actually won by 82 votes.# Meanwhile, Ramirez, said she is not in a hurry to take over the post.

“We will wait for the order of the court and we will comply with whatever decision it will have on our motion,” said Ramirez in an interview at her residence, diffusing tension in Tayug.

Ramirez said she does not intend to force her way into the office of the vice mayor without the legal document, even knowing she is supposed to start serving the people.

Earlier, in an open letter to the people of Tayug, Zaragoza wrote: “Sangayon po, ako pa rin ang nakaupomg vice mayor ng ating bayan. Status quo po ang situation dahil nakapag-appeal na po ang aking mga abugado sa RTC at Comelec.”

In response, Ramirez, who was elected vice mayor of Tayug from 2004 to 2007, said she will comply with the decision of the court and reiterated that she will observe due process and will not take over without proper authority from the court.

Ramirez’ lawyer has already filed a motion for the execution of judgment pending the appeal before RTC Branch 51 which is due for hearing on October 20.

That motion was originally set for hearing last October 13 but Zaragoza appeared before the court without her lawyer.—LM

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