Comelec stops ex-Albay Gov. Noel Rosal’s reelection bid in 2025
Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifies former Albay Gov. Noel Rosal from seeking reelection in the May 2025 polls. In a 15-page ruling dated Dec. 27, 2024, the poll body’s Second Division said: “Being dismissed from service, Respondent [Rosal] is disqualified under Sec. 40 (b) of the LGC (Local Government Code), which disqualifies any person running for a local elective post who was removed from office as a result of an administrative case.” INQUIRER FILES
In a 15-page ruling dated Dec. 27, the poll body’s Second Division said: “Being dismissed from service, Respondent [Rosal] is disqualified under Sec. 40 (b) of the LGC (Local Government Code), which disqualifies any person running for a local elective post who was removed from office as a result of an administrative case.”
A certain Josefino Valenzuela Dioquino filed a disqualification against Rosal, who was dismissed from service by the Office of the Ombudsman over a case where the ex-governor was accused of grave misconduct, oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Rosal was blamed for adversely affecting the provincial government’s operations and service delivery as he supposedly violated Civil Service Commission rules when he reassigned several department heads of the province.
The Ombudsman’s directive included an accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Rosal appealed the Ombudsman’s decision before the Court of Appeals, where it is currently pending.
Rosal also filed a petition before the Supreme Court to invalidate Comelec Resolution No. 11044-A, which bars a former public official like him from running for public office.
The SC issued a temporary restraining order on Comelec to stop it from implementing Resolution No. 11044-A for now.
Despite this, however, the Comelec Second Division said they still have a “legal and actual basis” to decide on Rosal’s case under the Omnibus Election Code.
