SC issues TROs vs Francis Leo Marcos, ex-Albay gov disqualifications from 2025 polls

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday issued temporary restraining orders against the disqualification of Francis Leo Marcos and former Albay governor Noel Rosal in the upcoming May 12 national and local elections.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) earlier revoked the certificate of candidacy of Francis Leo Marcos, who is running for senator, after he was labeled as a nuisance candidate.

The senatorial aspirant earlier appealed the poll body’s decision after it deemed that Marcos “did not show a genuine intent to run for office.” Although he was allowed to run also for senator in 2022, wherein he received over 4 million votes.

The temporary TRO issued by the SC will prevent the COMELEC from labeling Marcos as a nuisance candidate.

Further, the SC also favored Rosal’s appeal to void COMELEC’s cancellation of his candidacy for the gubernatorial post in Albay.

A certain Rafael Dioquino filed a petition to disqualify Rosal following his dismissal from service, which means he cannot hold public office perpetually.

To recall, Rosal was barred from holding any public office by the Office of the Ombudsman due to illegal reassignment of personnel.

The COMELEC en banc earlier said that it found no merit in the motion for reconsideration filed by Rosal, saying it was a “mere rehash" of the same arguments and positions that were already raised and discussed.

Last October, the Supreme Court affirmed Rosal's disqualification and two other local officials, including his wife ex-Legazpi City mayor Carmen Rosal, in the national and local polls last May 2022.

The TRO will prevent the poll body from implementing resolutions cancelling Rosal’s candidacy.

The SC ordered the COMELEC to comment on Marcos’s and Rosal’s petitions within five days from receipt of the notice. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News