Comelec proclaims disqualified candidate as barangay chief

CANLUBANG, Laguna, Philippines — After a long legal battle, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed Larry Dimayuga as the legitimate barangay chairman of Canlubang in Calamba City, Laguna.

“He was disqualified by the division for premature campaigning, so the decision was not immediately proclaimed. On motion for reconsideration, the decision of the division was reversed,” Comelec-Calabarzon director Allan Enrique told The STAR.

Dimayuga took his oath before Calamba City Mayor Ross Rizal on Friday and immediately assumed his post as barangay captain.

The disqualification earlier led the Comelec to declare Mario Jun Cogay as the barangay’s officer-in-charge. However, Cogay was murdered at his home a few days after the proclamation. His death remains unresolved.

The councilor who had the second highest number of votes, Edgar Mangubat, was designated as village OIC pending the resolution of Dimayuga’s case.