In a status quo order issued on July 11, the SC directed the parties to the case "to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the assailed order dated July 5, 2006." Yatco was directed to comment in 10 days on Perez’s petition.

The July 5, 2006 order issued by the Biñan RTC granted Yatco’s motion to execute the trial court’s decision declaring him winner in the 2004 mayoralty election in Biñan.

Perez was proclaimed winner in the 2004 election. His closest rival was Yatco who filed an election protest before the court.

On June 15, 2006, RTC Judge Romulo Villanueva declared Yatco as the winner in the mayoralty election. Perez, in the meantime, appealed the ruling before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Yatco, whom Perez said is a son-in-law of Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., filed a motion to execute judgment pending appeal. The plea was granted by Villanueva in an order dated July 5, 2006.

With the trial court’s order granting Yatco’s motion, Perez elevated the case to the SC and pleaded for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) or a status quo.

Meanwhile, in another case, the SC issued a TRO that stopped, in the meantime, the proceedings in two ejectment cases filed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) against General Milling Corp. and the City Trust Banking Corp.

In a resolution, the SC granted the motion of the Office of the Solicitor General to stop the Lapu-Lapu City Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Judge Ester M. Veloso from further proceeding in the two ejectment cases.