Comelec reverses DQ of Isabela town mayor

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines  – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reversed an earlier decision disqualifying a town mayor of Isabela.

In a ruling dated Aug. 14, the Comelec granted an appeal filed by Roxas town Mayor Benedict Calderon, who was ousted by the poll body’s First Division in October last year.

Calderon’s ouster stemmed from a complaint filed by Harry Soller, a losing mayoral candidate who accused the mayor of vote-buying.

The Comelec said the mayor’s alleged illegal acts occurred when no candidates yet filed to run for the May 13 polls.

The poll body said the affidavits citing the illegal acts committed by Calderon took place from March 2011 to February 2013 or prior to the election season.

It said the allegations were unsubstantiated and the documents submitted to the poll body was not authenticated.

The Comelec also questioned the complaint’s credibility following the withdrawal of testimonies by 15 witnesses.