Comelec to resolve
disqualification cases
before election day
By KIT BAGAIPO

BORA

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured to resolve 13 disqualification petitions of local candidates at least two days before the May 14 elections. This was the assurance given by Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra during an interview with the Chronicle. As commissioner in-charge for Central and Eastern Visayas, Borra said, he is optimistic that judgment will be rendered on all disqualification cases the soonest time possible.

However, the commissioner explained that while the Comelec make their rulings on the cases on time, most of it is elevated to the higher courts.

The Comelec has no control once a petition for disqualification is being handled by the higher courts, Borra explained.

Presently, there are thirteen disqualification petitions filed against 14 candidates at the provincial Comelec office.

The petition revolves on the period of residency which Relampagos has stated in his COC which is questioned by Diputado.

In turn, Relampagos also filed a petition to nullify the COC of opponent, senior board member Dionisio Balite.

The petition questions the validity of Balite's COC which was notarized by the latter's son-in-law, Diputado, violating notarial rules.

A disqualification case is also filed against former Albur mayor Jose Ugdoracion by mayoralty aspirant Ephraim Tungol due to his lack of residency in said town.

Ugdoracion had been residing in the United States in the past years after he served as mayor for three consecutive terms.

Meanwhile, incumbent Dauis Mayor Luciano Bongalos also filed a disqualification petition and the cancellation of the COC of his main rival Victorio Migriño.

Although Migriño is also a longtime resident in the United States, the challenger for Dauis' mayorship has repeatedly said he has already renounced his American citizenship and has sufficiently complied with the residency requirement.

While Migriño is facing a disqualification case, he himself has filed a petition to disqualify another aspirant for the town's mayoralty post which happens to bear a similar name.

The respondent-candidate, Victor A. Migriño, is being petitioned by the former so the Comelec would declare him a nuisance candidate and for the cancellation of the latter's COC.

Meanwhile, in the island town of Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Tesalonica Boyboy, daughter of outgoing town mayor Eping Boyboy, has also filed a petition to disqualify and declare as nuisance candidate her opponent Angel Boyboy.

Similarly, both Boyboys also have vice mayoralty candidates with the same family names, Dionisio Boyonas Jr (running mate of Tesalonica) and Norberto Boyonas (running mate of Angel Boyboy).

Re-elecitionist Bien Unido Mayor Marianita Garcia, together with her running mate Marcelo Garcia, has filed disqualification cases against her challenger Alejo Boniel and an aspirant for the town's sangguniang bayan, Niño Rey Boniel.

The case also stated lack of residency as ground for disqualification.

Incumbent Trinidad Mayor Osias Flor also filed disqualification complaint against challenger Judith Cajes, wife of 2nd district Rep. Roberto Cajes, also for lack of residency.

Guindulman mayoralty aspirant Renanti Granada, son of outgoing town mayor Oriculo Granada, has also petitioned for the disqualification of his main opponent, Ma. Fe Piezas also for lack of residency.

Incumbent Maribojoc vice mayor Philip Medequiso who is now running for mayor is also asking for the disqualification of mayoralty bet Leoncio Evasco Jr. for lack of residency in said town.

Evasco have been serving as a government executive in Davao before he came back to his hometown.

In Corella town, vice mayoralty bet Rex Romani Tocmo is also seeking for the disqualification of opponent and former town mayor Epifanio Bolando who is now running for vice mayor with incumbent town Mayor Vito Rapal.

Meanwhile, candidates for municipal councilor in Dauis, running under incumbent Mayor Luciano Bongalos, are petitioning for the disqualification of councilor aspirant Silvino Cinches, also due to lack of residency requirement.