LAPU-LAPU City mayoralty candidate Junard “Ahong” Chan is reportedly among 53 candidates nationwide who were disqualified from running in the May 13 midterm elections.
This was revealed by Chan’s opponent Rolando Patalinjug, who said he obtained the decision from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc last November.
For his part, Chan dismissed Patalinjug’s claim, saying it is black propaganda, and questioned the authenticity of the document, saying his name is included in the list of official candidates in the Comelec’s website.
The Lapu-Lapu City Comelec said it did not receive an official copy of the list of disqualified candidates.
Patalinjug, the mayoralty bet of the United Nationalist Alliance, presented Wednesday, March 27, an excerpt from the minutes of the regular en banc meeting of the Comelec on Nov. 28, 2018.
The document is part of the “non-use of the amended certificate of candidacy (COC),” which includes Chan in the list of disqualified candidates. This means they used the old COC that lacks “item no. 22,” which asks candidates if they have pending cases.
Patalinjug said it would be to his advantage if Chan’s name is deleted from the official ballot.
“It would do good for them (Chan group) to join our group because we only have one aim (defeating the Radazas),” he told the reporters in a press conference.
In a separate interview, Chan challenged Patalinjug’s camp to send him an official copy of the disqualification decision.
“What is this? Xerox copy... Where did it come from? Was this made in Quiapo?” he said.
Chan, the incumbent Pajo barangay captain, showed the correct COC he filed last October, showing he used the correct form.
“They are trying to fool the people,” he said, adding that his candidacy is strong.
Chan said he will write a letter to the Comelec En Banc to ask for clarification. (From FVQ of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)