THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has issued a certificate of finality denying the motion for reconsideration filed by Camiguin congressional aspirant Paul Rodriguez over the cancellation of his candidacy due to non-residency.
The Comelec en banc initially denied Rodriguez’s motion for reconsideration on April 11.
This stemmed from a petition filed by incumbent Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, who submitted substantial evidence questioning Rodriguez’s residency. The Comelec Second Division ruled in favor of Romualdo, disqualifying Rodriguez from running for office.
Rodriguez later filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc, which was denied.
The en banc ruling stated that Rodriguez “fails to impress this Office,” citing his failure to file a verified answer and memorandum in response to Romualdo’s petition.
Rodriguez was given until Dec. 2, 2024, to submit his responsive pleading but failed to comply.
As a result, the Comelec en banc resolved to deny the motion for reconsideration and declared its April 11 decision final and executory during its April 23 session.
Despite this, Rodriguez’s camp has continued to hold campaign activities.
In an interview with Brigada News FM–Cagayan de Oro, Rodriguez said, “The Supreme Court has no prohibition to proceed [with] our certiorari case,” pointing out the authority of the high court.
Romualdo’s camp declined to issue a statement on the matter.
