SC issues TRO vs. disqualification of Manila councilor bet

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against a ruling canceling the certificate of candidacy of Darwin Sia, who ran for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the second district of Manila in the midterm polls.

According to SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting, the SC directed the Commission on Elections and another individual to comment on Sia’s petition within a non-extendible period of five days of receipt of notice.

GMA News Online has asked the Comelec for comment but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Sia was disqualified for material misrepresentation when he filed his candidacy despite being convicted of electricity pilferage, which, according to the Comelec, constitutes moral turpitude.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, an individual is disqualified to be a candidate for an elective position and for holding any office if such a person has been sentenced by final judgment for a crime involving moral turpitude.

The Comelec en banc upheld the decision to cancel his COC earlier this month.

Despite the Comelec's decision, Sia garnered the highest number of votes for councilor in Manila's second district in the May 12 elections. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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