Philippine Daily Inquirer Digital Edition

Albay gov fighting Comelec DQ order

Rosal preparing appeal to disqualification issued by Comelec over cash aid to drivers, seniors during election period

—STORY BY MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN AND KATHLEEN DE VILLA

LIGAO CITY—Albay Gov. Noel Rosal said he was filing a motion for reconsideration on the disqualification order issued by the Commission on Elections. The poll body said Rosal violated the Omnibus Election Code when, as mayor of Legazpi City, he released cash aid to drivers and seniors during the election period. Some 1,000 people on Tuesday attended Mass in Legazpi to show him their support.

LIGAO CITY—Supporters of Albay Gov. Noel Rosal on Tuesday gathered in Legazpi City to pray for intervention as the official’s camp prepares an appeal to the disqualification ruling issued against him by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

At least 1,000 people, including the governor’s friends and relatives, attended Mass at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral at 4 p.m.

Darlito Perez Jr., curator of Legazpi Museum, said the Mass was a “peaceful move to show support” for Rosal, a former city mayor of Legazpi, the Albay provincial capital.

In a statement on Monday, Rosal said the Comelec’s resolution was not final and executory.

“We have five days from receipt, or up to Sept. 24 to file an MR (motion for reconsideration) with the Commission en banc,” Rosal said.

He said the Comelec’s deci

sion may also be elevated to the Supreme Court.

Prohibition

“I will continue to function as your governor until the court orders with finality ... [that I] vacate the position,” Rosal said.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, in a statement, said the poll body’s First Divi

sion, in a resolution promulgated on Monday, granted the petition of defeated Legazpi City council candidate Joseph Armogila over Rosal’s supposed violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

Armogila sought Rosal’s disqualification for reportedly approving, in his capacity as mayor of Legazpi City, cash aid for tricycle drivers and senior citizens.

Laudiangco said the assistance was given “sometime in April 2022, during the period of the prohibition against the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds, which is within [45] days before the May 9 [elections],” said Laudiangco on Tuesday.

Under the election code, public officials and employees are prohibited from releasing or disbursing public funds within 45 days before Election Day.

The 12-page decision, which was made public on Monday, was signed by Commissioners Socorro Inting and Aimee Ferolino.

The division ruled that the payout of cash assistance to tricycle drivers and seniors was “not an exempted activity” because it was merely “a continuation of what has already been started since 2021.”

It added: “Nowehere in the law does it state that a continuing social welfare and development project is excluded from the prohibition nor [is] exempted.”

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2022-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

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Philippine Daily Inquirer