SC reverses Comelec’s ruling on CamNorte gov disqualification case

Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado and wife Josefina file their COCs at the Comelec to run for provincial governor and representative of the first district of Camarines Norte, respectively. INQUIRER Southern Luzon file photo / Stephanie Florida

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court reversed the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision that disqualified Edgardo Tallado from joining the recent gubernatorial election in Camarines Norte.

The decision of the high court was released after an 8-6 affirmative votes were made during an en banc session held on September 10. 

The decision was penned by Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin. His decision was concurred in by Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Alexander G. Gesmundo, Andres B. Reyes, Jr., Jose C. Reyes, Jr., Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Henry Jean Paul B. Inting, and Rodil V. Zalameda.

Meanwhile, Justices Francis H. Jardeleza, Antonio T. Carpio, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic F. Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, and Rosmari D. Carandang dissented.

It could be recalled that Comelec earlier disqualified Tallado to run due to questionable years of service as governor of Camarines Norte.

Comelec said that if the certificate of candidacy of Tallado would be granted, he will already be on his 4th term as governor. The law limits governors to only three consecutive terms.

However, Tallado was suspended from office in 2015 and was reinstated only after three years or in 2018.

With this, Tallado took his case to the Supreme Court questioning the decision of the Comelec and insisting that he is still eligible to run  for the May 2019 polls.

Tallado won as the governor of Camarines Norte after garnering 149,002 votes against his rival Cathy Barcelona-Reyes who had 104,635 votes.

INQUIRER.net asked the Comelec for comment regarding the decision of the Supreme Court but spokesman James Jimenez said that it has not yet received a copy of the full decision.

“Wala pa kaming natatanggap na official copy. We’ll hold off commenting until then,” Jimenez said in a text message. /jpv

READ: Camarines Norte gov wins third term