Comelec unseats Surigao mayor
In a five-page resolution dated July 24 and penned by presiding Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr., the second division disqualified Sta. Monica Mayor Rosalinda Penera but absolved her party mates who ran for councilors.
Absolved were Arcelito Petallo, Renato Virtudazo, Glorina Apparente, Silverio Tajos, Jose Platil, Medardo Sunico, Edelito Lerio, and Sensualito Febra.
Losing mayoral bet Edgar Andanar, son of former DILG Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar, filed the disqualification case against Penera.
Penera ran under the Padajon Surigao-Kampi now chaired by Siargao Island Rep. Francisco Matugas. Andanar also ran under administration ticket of Kampi.
Penera won over Andanar by a slim margin.
The disqualification case stemmed from an incident last March 29 – a day ahead of the official start of the campaign period – when Penera and her party’s councilor bets, along with their supporters, held a motorcade after filing their certificates of candidacies with the local Comelec office.
Two jeepneys and 10 motorcycles, carrying balloons and a streamer of board member candidate Mar Longos, joined the motorcade.
Andanar’s camp took photos of the motorcade and presented them as evidence to the Comelec.
Penera and her party mates, however, claimed they did not campaign.
In a text message to THE STAR, Penera said she has already filed a motion for reconsideration.
“The Comelec en banc has the final say, unless it renders a final resolution affirming the second division’s resolution,” she added.
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