SC issues TRO anew vs DQ order on ex-Albay governor

Dismissed Albay Gov. Noel Rosal

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) again temporarily stopped the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing the disqualification of dismissed Albay Gov. Noel Rosal from the 2025 midterm elections.

This is the second restraining order issued by the SC in Rosal’s favor.

Rosal was found administratively guilty by the Office of the Ombudsman for reassigning provincial and city government officers when he and his wife Carmen assumed office as Governor and Mayor of Legazpi City, respectively.

The governor was dismissed from service and permanently barred from holding any public office. His case was the subject of an appeal.

Rosal filed his certificate of candidacy but was prohibited, due to Comelec Resolution No. 11044-A, which bars dismissed public officials with perpetual disqualification from holding public office from filing a certificate of candidacy despite the pendency of an appeal.

Rosal, through his counsel, Atty. Romulo Macalintal took his case to the SC, which, on Oct. 22, 2024, issued a temporary restraining order from implementing the Comelec Resolution.

Rosal, however, was again disqualified by the Comelec as it granted the petition filed by a certain Josefino Dioquino.

Rosal filed a motion for reconsideration, which was elevated to the Comelec en banc on January 6 and was decided a day later.

Rosal said the ruling came “ng mas mabilis pa sa kidlat (faster than lighting) without even asking Dioquino to respond to his motion for reconsideration.

In the recent case, the SC gave the Comelec five days to submit its comment.

Aside from Rosal, the SC also issued a temporary restraining order on the disqualification imposed against senatorial aspirant Francis Leo Marcos, bringing the total number of issued TROs to 11.

Other issued TROs were in favor of the following candidates:

• Subair Guinthum Mustapha, running for a senate post
• Former Caloocan City representative Edgar Erice, running for representative of Caloocan City’s 2nd district
• Charles Savellano, running for representative of Ilocos Sur’s first district
• Chito Bulatao Balintay, running for Zambales governor
• Florendo de Ramos Ritualo, Jr., vying for a seat as a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in the first district of San Juan City
• Marie Grace David, running for vice mayor in Limay, Bataan
• Mary Dominique Oñate, running for mayor of Palompon, Leyte
• Aldrin Sta. Ana, running for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan
• Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, seeking another term as mayor