The Commission on Elections announced on Friday that the second division has disqualified a candidate for barangay chairman of Barangay Pualas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon for the upcoming 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The Comelec said Ireneo Polinar Lapis was found guilty by the Ombudsman in an administrative case, citing that the Ombudsman, in its order dated 28 March 2005, ordered Lapis' dismissal from public service after finding him guilty of dishonesty, pursuant to Section 52 (a) and Section 58 (a) of the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 19, s. 1999, or the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

The Comelec has disqualified other candidates for various offenses, among them Aniano Pancho Capinig, Punong Barangay candidate, Barangay Cabas-an Aroroy, Masbate (sentenced by final judgment with a penalty of more than 18 months); Ivy Jane Parohinog Miranda, SK Chairman candidate, Barangay Malag-it, Calinog, Iloilo (material misrepresentation in the COC, father is an incumbent Sangguniang Barangay member in the same locality); and Merson C. Calubag, SK Chairman candidate, Barangay Magtangale, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte (material misrepresentation in the COC, mother is an incumbent Barangay Kagawad in the same locality).