Comelec cancels COC of "winning" brgy chairman

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – The Comelec central office in Manila has cancelled the certificate of candidacy of Dionesio “Bong” Dalumpines, the supposed winning candidate for chairman of Barangay Sumanga, this city, during the last barangay elections in October.

The decision favored former Sumanga barangay chairman Mario Albor’ petition, filed before the elections, for the cancellation of the Dalumpines’ COC for non-residency.

Comelec-Ormoc City officer Karen Cajipo, in an interview yesterday morning with The Freeman, confirmed the Comelec ruling.

Cajipo said this made the barangay chair post vacant but then the elected first councilman could not assume the duties and responsibilities of Dalumpines via succession because it was not about disqualification but a cancellation of the COC.

The Dalumpines camp can still file a motion for reconsideration, but Cajipo said that as of yesterday her office has not received yet any such action.

“If Dalumpines will not seek reconsideration, then the other candidate for the post shall be the proper person to occupy it because Dalumpines’ COC never existed, according to the Comelec decision,” said Cajipo.

Agapito "Yongyong" Pongos was the only candidate against Dalumpines, and he now stands as the winner in the elections and the barangay chair of Sumanga.

Cajipo however clarified that, in the case Dalumpines filed directly his motion for reconsideration at Comelec central office, he remains the authorized person to sign papers for the barangay, including vouchers and payrolls until the final ruling.

Another similar case filed by Bobby Villa against Simplicio Coma of Brgy. Magaswe also in this city has yet to be decided. Coma remains the sitting chairman until then. – THE FREEMAN