Comelec affirms Pampanga mayor’s disqualification

MABALACAT CITY—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sitting en banc last week affirmed the decision of the Comelec First Division to disqualify Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales for having exceeded the three-term limit imposed on elected local officials. The decision came nine months after the First Division ordered the city board of canvassers to declare as stray all votes cast for Morales, and to proclaim former Pampanga Board Member Crisostomo Garbo. The disqualification case was filed by losing candidate Pyra Lucas. Mabalacat became a city in 2012, so Morales argued that he was not covered by the term limit, as he was serving his second term as mayor. Morales’ lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, said the mayor would take the case to the Supreme Court. —TONETTE OREJAS