Albay gov not yet disqualified- Comelec

Legazpi City, Philippines– Albay Gov. Noel Rosal is not getting down from his post just yet despite the recent ruling by the Commission on Election (Comelec) Second Division cancelling his certificate of candidacy (COC).

This was clarified by the Comelec itself through its spokesman, Rex Laudianco, saying that the recent decision of its Second Division is not yet final and executory.

Rosal still has the right to appeal the decision to Comelec en banc and he did not have to vacate his post by virtue of such decision, Laudianco added, dashing hopes of Rosal’s critics who are eager to see him ousted again.

Rosal himself expressed confidence that the decision of the Comelec would eventually be dismissed.

In a statement posted on his social media  Ocotber 28, Rosal, said that the COC cancellation “was grounded on alleged resolution of the Ombudsman dismissing him from service in an administrative case in 2022”.

He pointed out, however, that “only recently the said resolution of the Ombudsman was modified by the Court of Appeals (CA) in that the dismissal was downgraded to a mere suspension from service for one year”.

Rosal’s lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, in a separate statement, stressed that since the said ground for the “dismissal” no longer exists then there is no more ground for the governor’s disqualification.

He pointed out that the recent decision of the CA was not yet existing when the Comelec division issued its ruling that disqualified Rosal.

The case stemmed from a complaint over Rosal’s reassignment of several department heads when he was Albay governor.

The petitioner against Rosal, a certain Adrian Loterte, said that the previous decision of the Ombudsman disqualifying the governor has yet to be reversed or set aside, and that no restraining order has been issued against its implementation. Bicol Files Report