Comelec disqualifies Aquino ally in Bulacan over vote buying

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Norzagaray, Bulacan Mayor Alfredo Germar for vote buying.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said on Twitter that the poll agency's First Division rendered the decision against Germar, who is from the Liberal Party of President Aquino.

The official can still file a motion for reconsideration since his disqualification is not a Comelec en banc decision, Jimenez said.

COMELEC 1st Division has disqualified Mayor Alfredo Germar for vote buying. In case you missed it.

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) October 3, 2013

In the May 2013 elections, Germar won the tight mayoral race against his lone opponent, Feliciano Legaspi, Sr. of the National Unity Party.

Germar obtained 13,944 votes while Legaspi got 13,118 votes.

The Comelec First Division decision comes amid criticisms that the poll body is targeting the political opponents of the Aquino administration.

The division recently disqualified Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito for election overspending. He is from the opposing United Nationalist Alliance.

Jimenez has denied that they are singling out opponents of the administration.

“We’re looking at all others. It is not just one person. It is not just one side of the divide, it's all," he said in a television interview last week.

Related story: After Jinggoy's cousin, Comelec may disqualify Aquino ally