MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said it affirmed its decision to disqualify Legazpi City Councilor Al Barizo from the 2022 elections.
“Ayon sa Comelec en banc ay tahasan nang dineny ang kaniyang motion for reconsideration and affirmed po ang resolution ng Comelec Second Division na nagdeklara na si Al Barizo ay disqualified,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco announced in a press conference.
(According to the Comelec en banc, his motion for reconsideration was denied outright and the resolution of the Comelec Second Division that declared Al Barizo disqualified was affirmed.)
In a statement, the Comelec en banc explained that Barizo’s motion for reconsideration was denied as it “neither contains any new matters or issues, nor was it able to establish that the assailed resolution was based on insufficient evidence, or that the same is contrary to law.”
Laudiangco said Comelec will issue a certificate of finality and a writ of execution if the Supreme Court will not issue a temporary restraining order within five days.
The Comelec Second Division in May held Barizo liable for violating Section 68(a) of the Omnibus Election Code, after being involved in a two-day cash assistance payout for tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the 45-day campaign spending ban
Albay Governor Noel Rosal and his wife, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal were also disqualified — effectively relinquishing their posts — for committing the same violation in the same incident.