Comelec orders Albay Gov. Noel Rosal to vacate post amid disqualification

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday ordered Noel Rosal to relinquish his post as Albay governor after the poll body’s en banc released a decision upholding his disqualification.

This was done through an order issuing a writ of execution, which Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said was served to all respondents at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) was then tasked to implement the said order.

“Under the orders of the Commission en Banc, the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is directed to immediately implement the en Banc resolution, which affirms the first division resolution, disqualifying Noel Rosal for running for the position of the governor of Albay,” said Laudiangco during a press conference.

“… for Governor Rosal to cease and desist from his powers and functions of the governor of Albay and relinquish that post and vacate that post,” he added.

The Comelec en banc also ordered the “peaceful” turnover of the position to Albay Vice Governor Edcel Lagman Jr.

The highest-ranking member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will then replace Lagman Jr..

Despite this, Laudiangco clarified that Rosal may still file a petition within 30 days from notice of the decision through the Supreme Court under the Rules of Court.

“Pwedeng-pwede pa rin po mag-file. ‘Yun nga lang po, in the meantime na magpa-file siya, implement na po namin ang desisyon po ng Comelec,” he said.

(He can still file a petition. But in the meantime, while he is still filing, we will implement the decision of the Comelec.)

It can be recalled Comelec has disqualified Rosal, along with his wife, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal, for violating a provision of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) against the release of public funds during the election period.

The two apparently participated in a two-day cash assistance payout for tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the 45-day campaign spending ban.

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JPV