Comelec welcomes SC ruling on disqualification of several local officials | ABS-CBN
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Comelec welcomes SC ruling on disqualification of several local officials
Comelec welcomes SC ruling on disqualification of several local officials
Comelec Chairman George Garcia presides over the Raffle of Party-List Groups and Organizations or Coalitions' Order in the Official Ballot for the 2025 National and Local Elections held at the Chairman's Hall, Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila on October 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Comelec Chairman George Garcia presides over the Raffle of Party-List Groups and Organizations or Coalitions' Order in the Official Ballot for the 2025 National and Local Elections held at the Chairman's Hall, Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila on October 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the disqualification of Noel E. Rosal as Governor of Albay, Carmen Geraldine Rosal as Mayor of Legazpi City, and Jose Alfonso V. Barizo as Councilor of Legazpi City, during the 2022 National and Local Elections.
MANILA -- Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the disqualification of Noel E. Rosal as Governor of Albay, Carmen Geraldine Rosal as Mayor of Legazpi City, and Jose Alfonso V. Barizo as Councilor of Legazpi City, during the 2022 National and Local Elections.
Their disqualifications were due to the violation of the Omnibus Election Code in relation with the disbursement and release of government funds during the prohibited period before a regular election.
Their disqualifications were due to the violation of the Omnibus Election Code in relation with the disbursement and release of government funds during the prohibited period before a regular election.
The SC also lifted the Status Quo Ante-Order that it issued on May 11, 2023.
The SC also lifted the Status Quo Ante-Order that it issued on May 11, 2023.
“Sinasabi po ng Korte Suprema tama ang Comelec sa pagkakatanggal di lamang ng governor kundi ng mayor at pagkatapos po ay nili-lift ng Korte Suprema 'yung status quo ante order na inisyu niya laban sa Comelec. Dahil po diyan, ang epekto po niyan matatanggal ang mayor at makakaupo yung second placer, kung sino man ang pangalawa na nakakuha ng pinakamataas na boto, at hindi po yung vice mayor. Yan po ang implikasyon ng lifting ng status quo ante order sa part ng Commission on Elections,” Garcia said.
“Sinasabi po ng Korte Suprema tama ang Comelec sa pagkakatanggal di lamang ng governor kundi ng mayor at pagkatapos po ay nili-lift ng Korte Suprema 'yung status quo ante order na inisyu niya laban sa Comelec. Dahil po diyan, ang epekto po niyan matatanggal ang mayor at makakaupo yung second placer, kung sino man ang pangalawa na nakakuha ng pinakamataas na boto, at hindi po yung vice mayor. Yan po ang implikasyon ng lifting ng status quo ante order sa part ng Commission on Elections,” Garcia said.
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“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Kataastaasang Hukuman sa pagsustain, pagbibigay po ng go signal sa Comelec at sa pagsasabi na kami po ay tama sa ginawa naming desisyon.”
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Kataastaasang Hukuman sa pagsustain, pagbibigay po ng go signal sa Comelec at sa pagsasabi na kami po ay tama sa ginawa naming desisyon.”
Garcia urged public officials to refrain from abusing state resources, saying the poll body will not hesitate to disqualify erring officials.
Garcia urged public officials to refrain from abusing state resources, saying the poll body will not hesitate to disqualify erring officials.
“Madami kasi minsan, malimit umaabuso at nagaganit ang mga state resources… 'yung maling paggamit ng state resources, hindi po talaga magdadalawang isip ang Comelec na magdisqualify ng mga kandidato katulad na po ng pinakita natin dahil sa maling paggamit ng state resources lalo’t wala itong pahintulot ng Commission on Elections,” Garcia said.
“Madami kasi minsan, malimit umaabuso at nagaganit ang mga state resources… 'yung maling paggamit ng state resources, hindi po talaga magdadalawang isip ang Comelec na magdisqualify ng mga kandidato katulad na po ng pinakita natin dahil sa maling paggamit ng state resources lalo’t wala itong pahintulot ng Commission on Elections,” Garcia said.
He added the poll body will issue guidelines on the approval of distribution of social services and applications for exemptions from the prohibition during the election period which may start in January.
He added the poll body will issue guidelines on the approval of distribution of social services and applications for exemptions from the prohibition during the election period which may start in January.
Meanwhile, Garcia said it will comply with the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court in relation to separate petitions filed by three local officials on their "perpetual disqualification" from public office.
Meanwhile, Garcia said it will comply with the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court in relation to separate petitions filed by three local officials on their "perpetual disqualification" from public office.
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Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes, former Albay Governor Noel E. Rosal, and Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama challenged Comelec Resolution No. 11044-A following their respective dismissal by the Ombudsman.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas C. Cortes, former Albay Governor Noel E. Rosal, and Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama challenged Comelec Resolution No. 11044-A following their respective dismissal by the Ombudsman.
The Court ordered that the cases be consolidated.
The Court ordered that the cases be consolidated.
“'Yan po naman ay injunctive relief lamang, pansamantala. Hindi pa po yan ang pinakaopisyal na desisyon ng ating Kataastaasang Hukuman. Ipapatupad po namin yan, kinikilala natin at nirerespeto natin ang desisyon po ng Korte Suprema sa bagay na yan," said Garcia.
“'Yan po naman ay injunctive relief lamang, pansamantala. Hindi pa po yan ang pinakaopisyal na desisyon ng ating Kataastaasang Hukuman. Ipapatupad po namin yan, kinikilala natin at nirerespeto natin ang desisyon po ng Korte Suprema sa bagay na yan," said Garcia.
"Kami po agad ay tatalima sa sampung araw na binigay sa amin upang sagutin kaagad ang petisyon na finile ng tatlong petitioners sa kasong ito. Sapagkat naniniwala po tayo na mas maganda kaagad ma-settle kaagad ang issue na 'yan sa puntong ito bago pa tayo mag 2025 national and local elections."
"Kami po agad ay tatalima sa sampung araw na binigay sa amin upang sagutin kaagad ang petisyon na finile ng tatlong petitioners sa kasong ito. Sapagkat naniniwala po tayo na mas maganda kaagad ma-settle kaagad ang issue na 'yan sa puntong ito bago pa tayo mag 2025 national and local elections."
Garcia said the Comelec resolution intended to implement the law that says decisions on administrative cases that come with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office are immediately executory.
Garcia said the Comelec resolution intended to implement the law that says decisions on administrative cases that come with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office are immediately executory.
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“Bilang pagtalima sa batas na yan ng Ombudsman, Section 21, paragraph 1, in Republic Act 6770, nag issue po kami ng resolution na sinabi namin lahat ng may perpetual disqualification to hold public office, kaagad namin ipapatupad, kaagad namin tatanggalin sa listahan bilang pagkilala namin sa kapangyarihan ng opisina ng Ombudsman," he explained.
“Bilang pagtalima sa batas na yan ng Ombudsman, Section 21, paragraph 1, in Republic Act 6770, nag issue po kami ng resolution na sinabi namin lahat ng may perpetual disqualification to hold public office, kaagad namin ipapatupad, kaagad namin tatanggalin sa listahan bilang pagkilala namin sa kapangyarihan ng opisina ng Ombudsman," he explained.
"'Yan po ang pinahinto ng Korte Suprema. Ibig sabihin lahat po ng may perpetual disqualification to hold public office hindi namin dapat tanggalin sa listahan hangga't walang pinal na desisyon ang Korte Suprema o hanggang hindi niya inaalis ang temporary restraining order.”
"'Yan po ang pinahinto ng Korte Suprema. Ibig sabihin lahat po ng may perpetual disqualification to hold public office hindi namin dapat tanggalin sa listahan hangga't walang pinal na desisyon ang Korte Suprema o hanggang hindi niya inaalis ang temporary restraining order.”
“Dapat po may nakahanda na kami na resolusyon na pipirmahan ng mga miyembro ng Komisyon upang tanggalin initial sa listahan… alam namin dahil meron kaming mga record kung sino ang may perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Talaga pong sadyang napaka eksaktong panahon ang pagkaka issue ng Korte Suprema ng temporary restraining order. Kaya nga po welcome development po sa amin yun dahil kahit paano naprotektahan din ang mga karapatan naman ng mga respondents na yan, karapatan din ng mga may perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Wala pa po kaming natatanggal kahit isa,” he added.
“Dapat po may nakahanda na kami na resolusyon na pipirmahan ng mga miyembro ng Komisyon upang tanggalin initial sa listahan… alam namin dahil meron kaming mga record kung sino ang may perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Talaga pong sadyang napaka eksaktong panahon ang pagkaka issue ng Korte Suprema ng temporary restraining order. Kaya nga po welcome development po sa amin yun dahil kahit paano naprotektahan din ang mga karapatan naman ng mga respondents na yan, karapatan din ng mga may perpetual disqualification to hold public office. Wala pa po kaming natatanggal kahit isa,” he added.
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