MORE than a year after the May 2022 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled to disqualify Aurora Vice Governor Gerardo “Jerry” A. Noveras from running in the last electoral exercise.
In its July 10 decision, the Comelec First Division disqualified Noveras after he was found to have used his post as then Aurora governor to utilize provincial government equipment for personal purposes during the campaign period.
“The serious allegations in the Petition and the totality of evidence in the records are sufficient to convince the Commission (First Division) that Respondent committed a grave violation of Section 261(d)(1) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), which warrants his disqualification as a vice-gubernatorial candidate for the province of Aurora,” said the Comelec.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (First Division) hereby resolves to grant the instant Petition. Respondent Gerardo “Jerry” A. Noveras is disqualified,” it said.
The Comelec First Division gave Noveras five days, or until Monday, to appeal the ruling.
The decision noted how Noveras committed a fraudulent scheme in causing Michael Tecuico, who is a casual plantilla worker of the provincial capital of Aurora, to perform acts in furtherance of his candidacy, including the printing of campaign materials by using government properties and within government premises.
“Petitioner claimed that the printing activities constitute a violation of Section 261 (0) of the OEC as the ATC compound and the tarpaulin printer that were used are properties owned by the local government of the province of Aurora,” said the Commission.
“The allegations against Respondent fall squarely under the prohibition in Section 261(d)(1). All the elements are present,” it added.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is prohibited to “use public funds, money deposited in trust, equipment, and facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign.”
Noveras won as vice governor during the May 2022 polls after getting 76,748 votes.
