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The Excessive Court docket guidelines that Errol Comafay Jr.’s lacking comma within the residential tackle he listed on his election type didn’t represent materials misrepresentation
ILOCOS SUR, Philippines – A profitable candidate for a metropolis council in Kalinga province, who was prevented from taking his put up resulting from a comma, is about to imagine his seat after the Supreme Court docket (SC) overturned the choice of the Fee on Elections (Comelec).
The Excessive Court docket dominated that Errol Comafay Jr.’s lacking comma within the residential tackle he listed on his election type didn’t represent materials misrepresentation.
He ran within the 2025 midterm elections, receiving essentially the most votes with over 6,000, forward of his closest rival, however he was not proclaimed after he was disqualified as a result of subject. Recognized for his anti-corruption advocacy, he ran on a reform platform.
The Excessive Court docket stated the Comelec utilized an “overly literal and slim interpretation” of what constitutes materials misrepresentation when it canceled Comafay’s certificates of candidacy for the 2025 midterm polls. The January 14 determination was made public on Friday, January 16, on the SC web site.
The dispute centered on how Comafay, who ran for a metropolis council seat, wrote his tackle on his COC. In a single a part of the shape, he wrote: “TARAKI NATIONAL RD PUROK 5” with out a comma. In one other half, he wrote: “TARAKI, NATIONAL RD, PUROK 5, BRGY. BULANAO, TABUK CITY, KALINGA” — with commas separating the geographic areas.
Paquinto Sallaya later filed a petition to cancel Comafay’s COC, alleging that no “Taraki Nationwide Street” existed in Barangay Bulanao or wherever in Tabuk Metropolis.
Comafay denied the allegation and argued he had no intent to deceive voters when he acknowledged his tackle within the COC. He submitted paperwork to help his place.
Comelec’s Second Division granted Sallaya’s petition, ruling that the dearth of a comma within the tackle amounted to materials misrepresentation and that Comafay intentionally misled Comelec and voters by offering a false tackle. The Comelec en banc affirmed the choice.
Innocent, no dangerous religion
The SC disagreed. It cited Part 78 of the Omnibus Election Code, which supplies {that a} petition to disclaim due course or cancel a COC could also be granted solely upon clear proof {that a} candidate made a false materials illustration concerning {qualifications} corresponding to residency, age, or citizenship.
The Court docket stated cancellation requires a misrepresentation that’s each materials and false: materials as a result of it considerations a candidate’s {qualifications} for workplace, and false as a result of the candidate knowingly and intentionally made an unfaithful assertion with the intent to deceive Comelec or voters.
Making use of these requirements, the Court docket held that the lacking comma didn’t have an effect on Comafay’s {qualifications}. The omission was innocent as a result of it didn’t change the which means of the tackle or relate to his {qualifications}.
The Court docket additionally discovered no dangerous religion on Comafay’s half, citing that he acknowledged his tackle with a comma in the identical doc and persistently used this in virtually all his transactions, authorized paperwork, and identification playing cards for greater than a decade.
‘A win for the individuals’
Comafay, in a Fb put up, hailed the ruling as a “win” for the residents of Tabuk Metropolis.
“Ito ay panalo ng lahat ng galit sa korapsyon at lahat ng nagpapahalaga sa demokrasya,” he acknowledged.
(It is a win for everybody who’s indignant at corruption and everybody who values democracy.)
In accordance with Comafay, the citizens’s help satisfied the SC that there was nothing unsuitable with the tackle he used. He additionally famous that the Court docket determined the case shortly so he may serve.
“Ang determination ng Supreme Court docket ang patunay na dapat ang taumbayan ang pumipili ng mga kandidatong maglilingkod at hindi ang iilang tao lamang,” he stated.
(The Supreme Court docket determination proves that it’s the individuals, and never only a few, who ought to select the candidates who will serve.)
He thanked his supporters for his or her backing and prayers, and pledged to accentuate efforts in opposition to corruption if he assumes workplace. – Rappler.com
