Camarines Norte governor disqualification affirmed

MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado has been disqualified from seeking reelection.

In a five-page resolution approved in full session and promulgated on Thursday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) affirmed the ruling of its first division last month that cancelled Tallado’s certificate of candidacy, saying he had served for three consecutive terms.

Norberto Villamin and Senandro Jalgalado filed the disqualification petition last year.

The Comelec’s First Division disputed Tallado’s claim that there was a break in his term due to his suspension and dismissal.

Tallado was suspended  in 2015 and dismissed in March last year over his defiance of a Civil Service Commission ruling ordering the reinstatement of provincial veterinarian Edgardo Gonzales, who was appointed public information officer in 2016. 

”The pendency of the petitions for review of the suspension orders meant that Tallado did not vacate his office,” the division said. 

“The commission finds no cogent reason to disturb or modify the findings reached in the assailed resolution. Respondent failed to prove that the evidence is insufficient... or that the same is contrary to law,” the Comelec ruling read.

“The... decisions of the Office of the Ombudsman imposing... the penalty of dismissal from service did not attain finality... because respondent availed the remedy of appeal... The ombudsman decisions... were either modified to suspension... or a temporary restraining order was issued to stay the execution of... dismissal,” it added.