The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Silang, Cavite mayor-elect Kevin Anarna following a ruling from the Office of the Ombudsman that permanently bars him from public office.

In a resolution issued Thursday, 19 June, the Comelec En Banc said Anarna’s disqualification stemmed from the Ombudsman’s 9 October 2024 joint decision which found him guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.

“We cannot disregard the Ombudsman’s 09 October 2024 Joint Decision that dismissed Respondent from the service and also imposed upon him the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” the Comelec stated, citing provisions of the Local Government Code.

The ruling also annulled Anarna’s proclamation and declared all votes cast in his favor as stray. This paves the way for incumbent Mayor Edward “Ted” Carranza — Anarna’s closest rival — as the only qualified candidate with the highest number of votes.

In a statement, Anarna’s legal counsel, Atty. Emil Maranon III, argued that the Ombudsman’s ruling is not yet final and executory. He criticized Comelec’s decision as a “procedural travesty” and a “gross violation of the constitutional right to due process,” claiming that there was no prior notice or summons issued.

“This is of course not only vulgarly illegal, but a gross violation of the constitutional right to due process,” Maranon said. He confirmed they would file a Petition for Certiorari before the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the ruling will be reversed.