A candidate for kagawad in Barangay Tabigue, EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, won in Monday’s polls but cannot be proclaimed a winner yet.
That is because the Commission on Elections issued the candidate, whose name is being withheld, a suspension of proclamation order pending resolution of a petition for disqualification for premature campaigning, Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said Tuesday, October 31.
The candidate can only be proclaimed a winner if the petition against him is dismissed, Ananoria said.
The EB Magalona bet was one of 17 candidates in Negros Occidental – one from Barangay Mabaroto, Sipalay City, and 16 from Barangay Tabigue – issued suspension of proclamation orders for premature campaigning.
Sixteen of them lost, Ananoria said.
However, the 16 others are also not off the hook yet.
The Comelec Task Force Kontra Epal could still rule that criminal cases should be filed against them before the Regional Trial Court for committing an election offense.
If found guilty they could be perpetually disqualified from running for public office, Ananoria said.*