NEGROS Oriental Governor Henry Pride Teves has chosen to give way to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to avoid disruption of delivery of public service and to prevent untoward incidence.

This, after the Supreme Court (SC) failed to act on his petition seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) annulling his gubernatorial victory last May 9 polls.

Teves said he didn’t want to sacrifice the employees and the services that they are giving to the people of Negros Oriental.

He also expressed that if he will not give way even if he is the duly elected governor of NegOr, it will only cause further tension and impasse and may even paralyze government services in the province. He believes only the SC can give a final ruling on the matter.

“I’ll rather wait for the next 15 days for the final ruling on TRO petition. I can’t give additional stress to my people and my family, who has already been through so much,” he explained.

He also assured that he will not allow any trouble to happen in their province.

“Kung para sa atin ay para sa atin!” he concluded.

It was learned that during the deliberation yesterday, the Supreme Court did not act on the petition of Teves to issue a TRO.

Instead, the high court asked both sides to comment on the petition within a maximum of 15 days, before acting on the TRO petition.

For Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel of Teves, it is legal for his client to remain in his post until the denial of their TRO petition.

He also believes that his client should stay in his position until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling on the case.

He added that he was surprised by Teves’ statement, since they were still in the middle of a meeting, when the governor decided to give way.

The lawyer said that what Teves did was really admirable, adding that he still cannot believe that there is still an elected official who is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of his constituents.