MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal will decide within next two weeks whether television host and Rep. Lucy Torres may continue to serve as congresswoman representing the Fifth District of Leyte.

This was revealed Friday by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez after text messages circulated that Torres has been stripped of her post after the HRET disqualified her.

Rodriguez, a senior member of the HRET, belied the reports but admitted that the two cases seeking to unseat Torres have been submitted for resolution.

The veteran lawmaker said decision on the two electoral controversies may be expected within the next two to three weeks.

A quo warranto and electoral protest cases were filed by Torres’ rivals during the 2010 elections.

In the quo warranto case, complainant Silverio Tagolino said Torres cannot be considered a rightful occupant of the congressional seat because she replaced a candidate who had been disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), referring to Torres’ husband, actor Richard Gomez.

Gomez had originally filed a certificate for candidacy for congressman but the Comelec rejected this because he failed to meet the residency requirement.

In a text message to Manila Bulletin, Gomez said they asked HRET to dismiss Tagolino’s complaint for lack of basis. He said his COC was never cancelled by the Comelec, thus, substitution was allowed.

According to Gomez a similar complaint against his wife had already been dismissed by the poll body for lack of merit.

“They had two opportunities to appeal the Comelec en banc decision to the Supreme Court but failed to do so. The bottomline is our opponents should know how to respect the will of the people,” stated Gomez.

Eufrocino Codilla Jr. another defeated candidate, sought a recount of the ballots cast.

Gomez said there is no way Codilla can overcome the 25,000 margin posted by his wife over the Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate.