The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified a candidate for barangay chairman in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, in the upcoming village polls due to a previous conviction in an administrative case

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said Ireneo Polinar Lapis, who is running for barangay chairman of Barangay Pualas, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman on March 28, 2005, on the ground of dishonesty and pursuant to Section 52(a) and Section 58(a) of the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 19, series of 1999, or the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

Under Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code of 1991, removal from office due to an administrative case is one of the grounds for disqualification from running for any elective local position.

“[F]or being removed from public office as a result of the Ombudsman’s finding that [Lapis] is guilty in the administrative case against him, [Lapis] is disqualified from running for any elective public office,” the Comelec body’s decision stated.

Apart from Lapis, the Comelec Second Division recently disqualified a candidate for barangay chairman of Barangay Cabas-an in Aroroy, Masbate, also due to a previous conviction, and two candidates for Sangguniang Kabataan chairman. (GMA Integrated News)