Leyte provincial board candidate to appeal Comelec’s cancellation of his COC

ORMOC CITY, Leyte — Ormoc City Councilor Vincent Rama will file a motion for reconsideration before the Commission on Elections to seek the reversal of Second Division’s ruling which cancelled his certificate of candidacy for a seat on Leyte's provincial board.

In an interview with GMA News Online at Ormoc City Hall, Rama confirmed the receipt of the Comelec Second Division’s ruling last Monday.

“We are planning to file a motion for reconsideration anytime, either today or tomorrow. And we plan to take it all the way to en banc, all the way to the Supreme Court,” Rama said.

As he seeks the reversal of the decision, Rama said he will continue his campaign, claiming that his political rivals are using the petition against his Eleksyon 2022 bid.

“As far as  I’m concerned, as far as the governor is concerned, I’m still a candidate. And I will continue my campaign until there is a final decision because I know that that’s not final yet,” he said.

“It’s just being taken advantaged by the other camp and since we are in politics then if they want to dance then I’ll dance with them,” he added.

In a resolution promulgated on April 22, the Comelec Second Division granted the instant petition to deny due course filed by a resident of Kananga, Leyte against Rama, alleging "material misrepresentation" on the part of the Ormoc City official.

According to the resolution, Rama, who is running for Member of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 4th District, Province of Leyte, had stated in his COC that his residence was in Kananga, Leyte and his period of residence in the said district was one year and three months.

However, the petitioner, Jesus Ortadilla, claimed that the correct residence of Rama was in Ormoc City, Leyte.

Ortadilla further argued that Rama committed material misrepresentation in his COC because the latter continued to be a resident of Ormoc City, Leyte which is a violation of Section 89 of Republic Act 179 or the Charter of Ormoc CIty and Article X, Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution.

The Comelec Second Division concluded that Rama's declaration that he is a resident of Kananga, Leyte for one year and three months, and eligible for office as member of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 4th District, Province of Leyte, "all refer to material representations" contemplated in Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code. — BM, GMA News