More poll bets issued show-cause orders, disqualified

MANILA, Philippines — With only a few more days left before the May 12 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified a gubernatorial aspirant and issued show-cause orders to three other candidates.

On April 30, the Comelec First Division invalidated the certificate of candidacy of Ronald Rodriguez, who is seeking the gubernatorial post in Camarines Sur.

The poll body said Rodriguez committed “false material representation” when he claimed that he is a resident of Pili town, when he has been residing in Naga City.

Under the Local Government Code, Naga is one of the country’s five independent component cities that are not under the administration of the province where they are located.

As such, residents of Naga City cannot vote for or seek elective posts for the provincial government of Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, the Comelec issued show-cause orders against mayoral aspirant Faith Francisco of Barbaza, Antique and Mayor Mario Salvador of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, who is seeking a congressional post, for allegedly violating the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Rules.

The poll body also ordered Laguna congressional candidate Ramil Hernandez and his wife, Ruth, to answer within three days accusations of vote buying and abuse of state resources.

The Comelec said failure to comply with the order would be considered a waiver of the right to be heard and result in filing of appropriate cases.