Del Mar wants Chiong’s COC cancelled

CEBU, Philippines —  Naga City vice mayoralty candidate Venci del Mar has asked the Commission on Elections to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy of mayoralty candidate Valdemar Chiong.

Del Mar is a member of the opposition, Dugong Dakilang Samahan - Democratic Party of the Philippines (PDDS-DPP), and is running against Chiong's daughter, incumbent Naga City Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong.

He filed the petition against Chiong last Thursday.

Del Mar said Chiong lied on his COC when he declared that he has never been a subject of a case, which has been “final and executory” with an accessory penalty of being barred from holding public office.

In 2017, the Ombudsman found Chiong guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty. He was also barred from holding a public office.

The Ombudsman’s ruling was in connection to Chiong’s issuing of a mayor’s permit in 2014 to Petronas Energy Philippines despite the fact that the oil company was yet to present a fire safety inspection certificate.

Then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ruled that Chiong violated Section 5(g) of the Fire Code, which states that "no occupancy permit, business or permit to operate shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Chief, BFP, or the duly authorized representative."

"Chiong deliberately violated the specific requirement of Section 5 (g) of RA No. 9514 (Fire Code) and in doing so, he gave unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference to Petronas. This clearly shows gross inexcusable negligence and constituted Grave Misconduct and Gross Neglect of Duty on his part in the performance of his duties and responsibilities as a Mayor," Morales wrote in her resolution.

Chiong served as Naga mayor from 2006 to 2016. His daughter, Kristine, is the mayor in office.

“Final and executory man ni (Val's case) on the side of the Ombudsman. It's a matter of interpretation na sa mga lawyers,” Del Mar said.

While Chiong does not deny the existence of the ruling, he clarified that he did not declare it because, contrary to Del Mar’s argument, the same it is not yet final and executory.

“Such case is now on review in the CA (Court of Appeals) for admin and the criminal is with Sandigan. In my own interpretation, no finality for now,” Chiong told The Freeman in a text message.  JMO (FREEMAN)