Ex-Albay governor asks SC to nullify Comelec ruling

MANILA, Philippines — Former Albay governor Noel Rosal has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to nullify the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution disqualifying him from running for governor in the May 12 elections.

In a 14-page petition, Rosal asked the high court to issue either a status quo order, temporary restraining order or an injunction to prevent the poll body from preventing his gubernatorial run.

Rosal also asked the SC to have his case consolidated with the petitions of former mayors Michael Rama of Cebu City and Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City, who were ordered dismissed by the  Office of the Ombudsman last year.

He accused the Comelec of acting to favor his opponent.

“And to further demonstrate its partiality, the Comelec en banc not only took the cudgels for the private respondent but also resolved in apparent and deliberate haste, brisk and speed the petitioner’s motion for reconsideration in a record time of only one day without even requiring private respondent to comment or file opposition thereto,” Rosal argued, referring to the motion he filed on Dec. 27.

He also said the Comelec rulings violated his right to due process.

Rosal was elected governor of Albay in the May 2022 elections.

However, the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal for grave misconduct, oppression and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.