The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified re-elected Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil due to his dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman.
In an eight-page resolution, the Comelec Second Division granted the petition filed by former mayor Michael Tapang against Capil on April 15.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (Second Division) resolves to grant the instant Petition, and declare Respondent disqualified from running for the position of Mayor in the Municipality of Porac, Province of Pampanga, in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections,” said the ruling promulgated on Wednesday.
Capil was disqualified from running in the last elections after the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from service for gross neglect of duty over the illegal activities of the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 in the municipality.
The poll body cited provisions of the Local Government Code, which states that those removed from office due to an administrative case are deemed disqualified from running for any local elective post.
“To permit a candidate, who is administratively disqualified to run for office, would render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile, effectively frustrating the ends of administrative discipline and making a mockery of the electoral process,” it said.
“Comelec, as a constitutional commission, is duty-bound to protect the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified and eligible individuals are allowed to run for public office,” the ruling added.
Capil was proclaimed as Porac town’s mayor in the May 12 elections for garnering 39,939 votes, beating Tapang, who only got 23,063 votes.
Also, the Comelec Second Division ruled to declare the votes Capil got as being “stray”.
At the same time, the Commission ordered the reconvening of the Municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC) of Porac, to make the necessary corrections in the Certificate of Canvass of Votes, and proclaim the candidate with the highest number of valid votes. (PNA)