Comelec-First Division cancels Isabela congressional bet’s COC

Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE PHOTO

SAN MARIANO, Isabela – The Commission on Elections-First Division has canceled the certificate of candidacy of a congressional candidate in this province.

In a 9-page resolution dated May 8, the Comelec First Division said former Mayor Fernando Cumigad committed “false material representation” when he filed his candidacy for a congressional seat of the province’s second district.

The resolution said Cumigad misrepresented himself when he declared under oath that “he has not been previously found liable for an offense which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.”

But the Office of the Ombudsman has earlier dismissed Cumigad from service after being slapped with an administrative complaint for grave misconduct when he was the town mayor in Gamu, Isabela.

The penalty includes accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service.

When asked for his comment, Cumigad said he has yet to receive the official copy of the resolution.

“Assuming that we would receive the official document soon, we still have five days to file a motion for reconsideration. If ever we will not get a favorable action, we still have the en banc and it will even reach the Supreme Court,” he told the Inquirer.

He said it is unlikely that the resolution will be implemented during the elections and he has prepared legal remedies.

“This is another political strategy of our foes to put a halt on our campaign but we are not perturbed. We will fight until the end,” Cumigad said, who is running against Nacionalista Party bet, Ed Christopher Go. (Editor: Abe Cerojano)