VIRAC, CATANDUANES — The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 43 has granted the motion filed by Princess Vanessa A. Rodriguez seeking the execution pending appeal of its decision in the election protest against Bato Mayor Juan T. Rodulfo.

In a Special Order and Resolution dated August 12, 2026, RTC Branch 43 directed the Clerk of Court to issue a Writ of Execution to enforce the court’s August 7, 2026 decision.

The decision favored Rodriguez following the revision, recount, and re-appreciation of the ballots, which resulted in Rodriguez obtaining 7,172 votes, compared with 7,171 votes for Rodulfo—a one-vote margin in Rodriguez’s favor.

Meanwhile, the RTC denied the Motion for Inhibition filed against the court, finding it without sufficient merit.

In a portion of the order referred to by the court as “A Final Word,” the RTC emphasized the importance of enforcing a favorable judgment so that a litigant’s victory would not be rendered meaningless.

The court is expected to issue the Writ of Execution to implement its August 7 decision, potentially paving the way for the enforcement of the ruling in favor of Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, the Rodulfo camp is expected to take the appropriate legal steps to challenge the order on execution pending appeal before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

It may be recalled that in a separate Order also issued on August 12, the RTC gave due course to Rodulfo’s Notice of Appeal, after determining that it had been filed within the prescribed period and that the required appeal fee had been paid.

The court likewise directed the Branch Clerk of Court to transmit the complete records of the election protest to the COMELEC for appellate proceedings.

Thus, while the RTC has ordered the enforcement of its August 7 decision pending appeal, Rodulfo’s appeal is also moving forward before the COMELEC.