Supreme Court set to decide on Pichay’s disqualification case

MANILA, Philippines — The reelection bid of Rep. Prospero Pichay of the first district of Surigao del Sur could be in peril as the Supreme Court (SC) is reviewing his eligibility to run for next year’s midterm polls.

The high court has submitted for decision a case involving an order of the Office of the Ombudsman, which perpetually disqualified Pichay from holding public office, a source told The STAR yesterday.

The source, who requested anonymity, said the SC is deliberating on the petition filed by Pichay, who sought a reversal of the 2011 ruling that found him guilty of grave misconduct.

The ombudsman ordered Pichay’s dismissal over the unlawful use of P780 million in state funds for the acquisition of the Express Savings Bank Inc. in 2009.

“The SC may rule on the case early next year,” the source said.

Pichay is also facing a disqualification case with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which was filed by former congresswoman Mary Elizabeth Ty.

In a petition filed on Nov. 12, Ty cited the same ombudsman order as a ground for seeking Pichay’s disqualification in the 2019 elections.

Pending appeal, Ty said the ombudsman’s decision should be immediately executory, citing a memorandum circular issued by the ombudsman in 2006.

She asked the Comelec to cancel Pichay’s certificate of candidacy and to prevent a substitute candidate from seeking the position.

The Sandiganbayan has also affirmed the three counts of graft charges filed against Pichay over the same anomalous deal.