Comelec disqualifies La Union mayoral bet

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union , Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified a retired police officer, who is running for mayor here,after he was found to be a non-resident.

“The certificate of candidacy (COC) of Reynaldo Jucutan is hereby cancelled,” according to the seven-page resolution signed last Jan. 21 by Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph and Grace Padaca.

Jucutan, who is running under the National Unity Party, is the lone opponent of re-electionist Mayor Pablo Ortega.

Gerald Tabac, chairman of Barangay Madayegdeg, filed a petition to disqualify Jucutan, who wrote in his COC that he is a resident and registered voter of the barangay. Madayegdeg Councilors Mario Palabay and Catherine Lucido attested that Jucutan is not listed as resident of the place.

Tabac said he had not seen Jucutan in Madayegdeg and he is a known resident of Ferguson Road in Baguio City.

Jugeeh Almoitee-Deinla, city election officer, certified that Jucutan is not a registered voter of Madayegdeg and the latter attempted to rectify the error in his COC by filing an application for registration on Oct. 29, 2012.