The petition to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron has been dismissed last January, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified on Thursday, Aug. 11.
"This is a reaction statement on issues circulating that Comelec purportedly dismissed Mayor Lucilo Bayron," Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told reporters in a text message.
The petition was filed by Benhar Hamisain Halipa, Salvador Juab Tinay, and Francis Laurance Malacaman Ganibo.
According to the order dated Jan. 28, 2022 the former Second Division stated that the petitioners failed to comply with one of the requirements imposed in Section 2, Rule 23 of Comelec Resolution 9523.
It states that the petition must be filed within five days from the last day from the filing of COC; but not later than 25 days from the time of filing of the COC subject of the petition.
It added that it cannot decide based on "mere allegation" of the petitioner.
"In view of the foregoing, the Commission (Second Division) hereby resolves to dismiss the instant petition," the document read.