Guialani to Comelec: Disqualify Moreno

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

IN move that could make former mayor Vicente Emano mayor again, former Taglimao barangay chairman William Guialani yesterday filed a petition to disqualify Mayor Oscar Moreno from the just-held mayoral race.

If disqualified, only five candidates for the mayoral post would be recognized–Emano who is trailing behind Moreno in the tally, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District who has already conceded, and independent candidates Felix Borres Jr., Ric Saarenas, and Romer Cabildo.

Guialani, who ran for a seat in the city council as an independent candidate, filed the petition for   disqualification at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here at around 3:45 pm yesterday.

In a five-page petition, Guialani said the Comelec should suspend Moreno’s proclamation if not, disqualify him from the mayoral race on the basis of the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to boot him out of city hall. He said the ombudsman also slapped Moreno with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

“It is prayed that the respondent Oscar Moreno  be disqualified as a candidate for city mayor and his proclamation be suspended,” reads part of Guialani’s petition.

The ombudsman’s ruling, which was assailed by Moreno before the Court of Appeals (CA), held the mayor accountable in connection with the controversial city hall-Ajinomoto tax settlement. It was Guialani who filed the case for grave abuse of authority and grave misconduct against Moreno.

Guialani pointed out that the decision of the ombudsman was made long before Moreno filed his certificate of candidacy but the implementation of the dismissal order was stopped by the appellate court.

Pressed for comment, Moreno said, “It’s just a nuisance suit filed by a nuisance candidate.”