By Perfecto T. Raymundo
MANILA, July 6 (PNA) — A taxpayer from Quezon City asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday to nullify the controversial Aguinaldo Doctrine.
Under the Aguinaldo Doctrine, an elective official is already exonerated in a possible administrative violation once he is reelected and won in an election.
Such an official is considered as already cleared by the citizenry one he is reelected into office.
The Aguinaldo Doctrine was one of the main defense in the arguments of suspended Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay in the administrative complaint he is facing.
The petition questioning the said doctrine was filed by Henry Giron, a taxpayer from Quezon City.
In his 14-page petition, Giron argued that the Aguinaldo doctrine is not in consonance with the provision of the 1987 Constitution involving the public accountability.
He cited the administrative case filed against former Barangay Capri Chairman and now barangay council member Arnold Cando.
Giron noted that the said complaint was merely dismissed repeatedly because it is already considered as”moot and academic” after he was reelected again to a position in government.
Cando, from Novaliches, Quezon City, was charged with dishonesty and grave abuse of authority for alleged power pilferage for the operation of computers in the computer shop he allegedly owned.
It was learned that in 2014, the Special Investigation Committee of the Quezon City Council dismissed the said complaint due to the Aguinaldo Doctrine. (PNA)