Comelec cancels MILF bet’s certificate of candidacy
COTABATO CITY — The Commission on Elections announced on Sunday, Sept. 13, that it canceled the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Anwar Salipada Alamada, the candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.
The COC of Alamada, UBJP’s candidate for Maguindanao del Sur’s 5th parliamentary district, was affirmed in an en banc session of the poll body on Sunday.
The Comelec said that since no restraining order or injunctive writ was issued by the Supreme Court, a writ of execution of the poll body’s earlier decision was implemented.
“All votes cast in favor of Anwar S. Alamada in the 5th District, Maguindanao del Sur shall be considered stray,” the ruling said.
“Votes in favor of Anwar S. Alamada are to be excluded in the canvass for 5th District Representative of Maguindanao del Sur,” it added.
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The poll body ordered “no proclamation for Anwar S. Alamada.”
Candidate Rafsanjani Pendatun Ali of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), who is running in Maguindanao del Sur’s 5th parliamentary district, has challenged Alamada’s eligibility, alleging that he falsely represented his residency in the 5th District of Maguindanao del Sur.
The Comelec, in its ruling, found false material representation in Alamada’s COC and ordered its cancellation.
Alamada’s camp initially said it would pursue a motion for reconsideration before the COMELEC en banc and, if necessary, elevate the case to the Supreme Court.
Alamada is the chairman of the MILF’s contingent in the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group, or Ahjag, a mechanism for joint law enforcement actions under the Bangsamoro peace process.
Alamada has yet to issue a public statement regarding the Comelec ruling. /mcm
