The Commission on Elections (Comelec) second division has disqualified Manuel Mamba from the 2022 gubernatorial race, which he had received, for violating the election spending ban.
“WHEREFORE, premises considered, the Petition is GRANTED. Respondent MANUEL N. MAMBA is DISQUALIFIED as a candidate for the position of Governor of the Province of Cagayan in the 09 May 2022 National and Local Elections,” the dispositive portion of the Comelec second division decision learn.
The decision, which was signed by Presiding Commissioner Marlon Casquejo and Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis, was promulgated on December 14, 2022.
The petition was filed by Zarah Rose Lara who ran in opposition to Mamba within the 2022 gubernatorial race.
Lara alleged that Mamba, an incumbent governor of the Cagayan province throughout the 2022 polls, engaged in huge vote shopping for actions throughout the marketing campaign interval within the guise of money help distribution utilizing the funds of the provincial authorities below the applications dubbed as “No Barangay Left Behind” (NBLB), “No Town Left Behind” (NTLB) and “Oplan Tulong sa Barangay” regardless of the issuance of a brief restraining order dated 29 April 2022 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 5, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
Further, the petitioner alleged that Mamba disbursed an quantity of P550 million from the provincial authorities and distributed the identical to all registered voters below this system “Krusada Kontra Korapsyon (KKK).”
Under the stated KKK program, Lara stated every registered voter was given the quantity of P1,000 “presenting it to be an economic stimulus and at the same time as cash assistance.”
Lara argued that these are all “blatant” violations of Section 68, paragraph 1 of the Omnibus Election Code which states that: “Any candidate who, in an action or protest in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court guilty, or found by the Commission of having given money or other material consideration to influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral functions…shall be disqualified from continuing as a candidate, or if he has been elected, from holding the office.”
“Ipinasiya ng COMELEC Second Division na bagamat nabigo ang ipinakitang ebidensya na si Mamba ay nagkasala at dapat madiskwalipika dahil sa vote-buying, ang ebidensiya ay matibay upang patunayan na siya ay lumabag sa Section 261(v)(2) ng [Omnibus Election Code] at Section 2 ng Comelec Resolution No. 10747,” the Comelec stated in an announcement.
Under Section 2 of Comelec Resolution 10747, no public official or staff, together with barangay officers and those-government-owned or managed companies and their subsidiaries shall launch, disburse or expend any public funds from March 25,2022 till May 08,2022.
Although there’s a Certificate Exemption supplied below Section 13 of the Comelec Resolution 10747, the Comelec stated that the exemption solely covers the NTLB program topic to the situation that the quantity paid inside the 45-day ban can be submitted.
“Walang ibinigay na express exemption para sa Oplan Tulong sa Barangay at KKK Programs,” the Comelec assertion learn.
In a Viber message to reporters, Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco stated Mamba can file earlier than the Comelec En Banc a movement for reconsideration inside 5 calendar days to attraction his disqualification.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
