MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the reinstatement of ousted Antique Gov. Exequiel Javier.
In a unanimous decision released on Friday, the high court reversed a ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that disqualified Javier over the suspension of a town mayor during the election ban in 2013.
“The Comelec gravely abused its discretion when it disqualified Gov. Javier based on a provision of a law that had been repealed,” read the ruling penned by Associate Justice Arturo Brion.
The jurisdiction of the Comelec to disqualify candidates is limited to election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code, the ruling stated.
In its Jan. 12, 2015 decision, the poll body said Javier’s suspension of Valderrama town Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero during the election ban was illegal.
Raymundo Roquero and Cornelio Aldon filed the disqualification case against Javier.