Ruling on Rosal's COC not yet final - Comelec

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI City --- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Friday that its 2nd Division's decision granting the petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy of Albay Governor Noel Rosal is not yet final and executory.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Rosal has five days to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Comelec en banc.

“The decision is not yet final and executory, may pagkakataon po si Mr. Rosal na i-elevate ang case and mag-appeal ng MR with the commission en banc (Mr. Rosal has a chance to elevate the case and appeal with the commission en banc). He has five days to do that otherwise, it will constitute to the cancellation of his COC and magiging (this will become) final and executory,” he said.

“Sa ngayon po wala pong magaganap na pagbaba sa pwesto dahil hindi pa final and executory (For now, there will be no stepping down from the position because it is not yet final and executory),” Laudiangco said.

In case of the ruling's finality, a big possibility of the rule of succession will apply, he said.

Meanwhile, Rosal and his legal team said they were perplexed by the decision on the cancellation of his certificate of candidacy for the May 2025 elections.

"Hindi pa po 'yan implementable, hindi pa po 'yan executory. I-clear natin 'yan sa en banc ng Comelec, and I hope makita nila yan on the good of everyone. Mahirap po magsalita ng duda duda, ang gusto ko lang the rules shall prevail. Kung ano ang tama dapat 'yun ang masunod (It is not yet implementable, it is not yet executory. Let's clear that up in the Comelec en banc, and I hope they see that for the good of everyone. It's difficult to talk with uncertainty. I just want the rules to prevail. What is right must be followed),” Rosal said. (PNA)