MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify the Rosal couple of Albay from the local races they had won in 2022.
Copies of the rulings have yet to be released, but the SC said in a press briefer on Tuesday, October 22, that they were disqualified “for violating the Omnibus Election Code in relation with the disbursement and release of government funds during the prohibited period before a regular election.”
The Comelec, in separate decisions in November 2022 and May 2023, nullified the couple’s election victories due to the roles they played in the distribution of financial assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens in March and April 2022, when the 45-day prohibition on the release of public funds as stated under the Omnibus Election Code was in effect.
Noel approved in his capacity as Legazi City mayor the event despite the absence of spending ban exemption from the poll body.
The Comelec also said that Geraldine — even though she was not a public official at the time — used the cash assistance payout “to induce the voters to vote for herein respondent,” in violation of Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, which penalizes candidates who have “given money or other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions.”
It is not immediately clear how the Supreme Court rulings will affect the couple’s bids to reclaim their old posts in 2025.
The High Court also disqualified Jose Alfonso Barizo from the Legazpi councilor race he had won in 2022, also for violating the election spending ban. – Rappler.com