The Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to resolve all pending disqualification cases for the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) by next week.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia told radio dzBB 125 disqualification cases were filed for the 2023 village polls.
He also said at least 12 BSKE candidates have already been disqualified, as most of them have previous criminal cases that make them ineligible to run for election.
The Comelec chair also said that measures are also in place in case a resolution is not reached before election day.
He also assured the public that there won’t be a “vacuum of leadership” in case a winning barangay chairman is disqualified.
The most recent candidate disqualified to run was Ireneo Polinar Lapis, running for Barangay Chairman of Barangay Pualas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.
In its resolution released on Friday, the Comelec Second Division said Lapis was removed from public office after the Ombudsman’s finding of his guilt in an administrative case against him.
Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that removal from office as a result of an administrative case is one of the grounds for disqualification from running for any elective local position.
The Ombudsman, in its Order dated March 28, 2005, ordered Lapis’ dismissal from public service after finding him guilty of dishonesty, the Comelec said.