The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered an investigation of an election officer in Aroroy, Masbate for alleged failure to remove a disqualified candidate from the certified list of candidates for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Placed under inquiry was Magdie Moran, Election Officer (EO) IV of Masbate’s Aroroy town who allegedly failed to delete the name of the disqualified candidate from the certified list of candidates for just concluded BSKE.
Based on records about the minutes of the Comelec’s executive session, Moran was directed to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Aniano Pancho Capinig, who was running for Punong Barangay (Barangay Captain) in Barangay Cabas-an, Aroroy.
Capinig was disqualified due to a previous conviction for violation of Section 31 of Republic Act No. 10591 or Illegal Possession of Firearms Law.
Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco invoked a portion of Comelec Second resolution, citing Capinig’s “final judgment of conviction, for which he was sentenced to an offense with a penalty of more than eighteen months, disqualifies him from being a candidate in the 2023 BSKE.”
“However, this Department received reports that the name of Mr- Capinig was not deleted/removed/canceled from the Certified List of Candidates and that the EO of Aroroy, Masbate merely suspended his proclamation,” the poll body said.
The Comelec stressed that it was “undisputed” that Capinig’s COC was administratively cancelled and that his name should have been deleted from the certified list of candidates.
Hence, the Comelec en banc adopted the law department’s recommendation to conduct an administrative investigation against Moran.
Comelec chief George Garcia said if proven guilty Moran may be removed from office due to gross insubordination.
