MANILA, Philippines — Former Albay governor Noel Rosal can no longer run in the gubernatorial race as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the coming elections.
The Comelec junked Rosal’s appeal to reconsider the cancellation of his COC by the poll body’s Second Division.
Rosal denounced what he described as a “record-breaking” speedy decision of the Comelec in denying his motion.
He expressed hope that he would be able to secure a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, allowing him to run in the coming elections.
The Comelec said it found no merit in the arguments raised by Rosal, noting these were rehashed from a similar petition that has already been discussed.
The poll body said the Second Division thoroughly discussed factual grounds for Rosal’s disqualification.
Rosal was elected governor of Albay in the May 2022 elections.
The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Rosal from the service for grave misconduct, oppression and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The Comelec said the ombudsman’s decision is final and immediately executory.
Meanwhile, Malacañang has suspended for one year the mayor and vice mayor of Urdaneta City in Pangasinan for alleged grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority.
The suspension of Mayor Julio Parayno III and his cousin, Vice Mayor Jimmy Parayno, stemmed from their removal of a barangay chairman sitting as an ex-officio member of the city council in 2022.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Ilocos region on Tuesday released the order against the Paraynos.
Complainant Michael Brian Perez sought the help of the DILG, Liga ng mga Barangay and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan after the council suspended him indefinitely in June 2022.
Perez said the DILG and the Liga ng mga Barangay sided with him, but the Paraynos reportedly barred him from participating in the regular session.
He said the council even voted to replace him as an ex-officio member. – Artemio Dumlao