SC clears way for Tabuk top councilor’s proclamation
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TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a writ of execution ordering the Special City Board of Canvassers to officially proclaim Errol Bangloy Comafay Jr. as the first-place councilor of Tabuk City, Kalinga, following a Supreme Court (SC) ruling in his favor.
The directive, issued 31 July by Comelec chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia, orders the canvassing board to convene 10 August at the Comelec Session Hall in Intramuros, Manila.
The board will annul the previous proclamation of councilors and issue an amended Certificate of Canvass of Votes and Proclamation based on updated vote tallies.
This comes as a Supreme Court decision that reversed prior election disqualification orders against Comafay, clearing his entry into the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The legal battle began when petitioner Paquinto B. Sallaya filed an election offense case against Comafay.
On 6 February 2025, the Comelec Second Division ruled against Comafay and directed its Law Department to conduct a preliminary investigation. Comafay filed a motion for reconsideration on 12 February 2025, but the Comelec en banc denied the appeal on 4 April 2025.
On 11 April 2025, the commission declared the disqualification final and immediately executory in the absence of a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court.
Comafay challenged the decision before the High Tribunal. On 14 January 2026, the Supreme Court En Banc granted Comafay’s petition, setting aside both Comelec resolutions.
The Supreme Court ruling became final and executory on 19 June 2026. Comafay’s counsel subsequently moved for the execution of the judgment in late July 2026.
With the correction of the official results, Comafay secures the top spot among the 10 elected members of the city council.
He will lead the updated council slate alongside Lucretina Sarol (2nd), Marc Ranier Duguang (3rd), Ivan Yannick Bagayao (4th), Zorayda Mia Wacnang (5th), Juan Thomas Duyan (6th), Eduardo Sacayle (7th), Samuel Suma-al (8th), Abraham Licaycay (9th), and Jayferson Bon-as (10th).
Copies of the final proclamation will be provided to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Provincial Government of Kalinga, and the City Government of Tabuk.
