SC reverses Comelec ruling on Camarines Norte governor

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has reversed the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s ruling that disqualified Edgardo Tallado from running for governor of Camarines Norte in the last midterm polls.

In an en banc decision issued on Tuesday, SC magistrates voted 8-6 in granting the petition of Tallado, which questioned his disqualification by the Comelec.

The Comelec had disqualified Tallado due to questionable years of service as governor of Camarines Norte.

The poll body said if Tallado’s certificate of candidacy would be granted, he would already be on his fourth term as governor. The law limits governors to only three consecutive terms.

Tallado was suspended from office in 2015 and reinstated after three years or in 2018.

The SC has issued a status quo ante order, which allowed him to run in the last elections.