The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc has issued a certificate of finality for the cancellation of the candidacy of Camiguin congressional candidate Paul Rodriguez.

This follow’s the poll body’s denial of Rodriguez’s motion for reconsideration on the petition to cancel his candidacy filed against him over the issue concerning his residency.

COMELEC said the resolution to cancel Rodriguez’ candidacy will now be executory as no restraining order has been issued by the Supreme Court (SC).

“Whereas, no restraining order has been issued by the Supreme Court within five days from receipt of the parties of the resolution that would preclude the 11 April 2025 resolution of this commission (en banc) from being final and executory,” the certificate of finality said.

“Now therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Resolution of the Commission (en banc) promulgated on 11 April 2025 is hereby declared immediately executory under the COMELEC Rules of Procedure, and COMELEC Resolution No. 11046,” it added.

In a 16-page resolution issued by COMELEC’s Second Division on March 19, 2025, the poll body ruled that Rodriguez was found to be a resident of Cebu City, not of Camiguin, as declared in his certificate of candidacy (COC).

The petition to cancel Rodriguez’ candidacy was filed by incumbent Congressman Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.

For his part, Rodriguez said they have already filed a petition for certiorari before the SC and filed a motion to expedite the raffling and resolution.

“We have elevated our case now for certiorari ngadto sa Supreme Court. We filed it last Tuesday just before the Holy Week. And yesterday we filed a motion to expedite the raffling and also for the resolution so we hope that before the election day dili naman gyud ni matanggal ang atong ngalan kay na printed naman ni sa balota we hope to get a Supreme Court TRO,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that his campaign will continue while awaiting the SC’s decision.