TACLOBAN CITY -- Palompon, Leyte Mayor-elect Mary Dominique DM Oñate welcomed the Supreme Court ruling declaring her not a nuisance candidate in the May 2025 elections.

She welcomed the court ruling, stating that she will use it as a motivation and challenge to show genuine service for all and a more progressive Palompon.

“This ruling is a testament to all new and upcoming leaders that being inexperienced is not a hindrance to run and serve the people,” Oñate said.

The case stemmed from former Mayor Georgina Arevalo’s petition before the Commission on Elections to declare her a nuisance candidate and cancel her Certificate of Candidacy on Oct. 16, 2024.

The respondent lost to DM's father Ramon n the 2022 elections.

Arevalo claimed that DM lacked bona fide intent to run for mayor and that her candidacy would mock the election process for multiple reasons.

She argued that first, DM allegedly did not have the political background to discharge the duties and responsibilities of an elective government official because the petitioner had no experience governing a second-class municipality with a population of 63,000.

Second, DM had not demonstrated significant involvement in socio-civic or political activities that would support her candidacy for public office.

Third, her candidacy was motivated by personal reasons rather than a genuine intent to serve the public.

Arevalo pointed out that DM sought to vindicate her father after his dismissal, not to aid the municipality.

The respondent cited a recent Ombudsman decision which found DM's father administratively guilty and dismissed him from service, and recent online articles containing her statement that she never wanted to run for office.

Arevalo also contended that she would be a mere proxy for her father who could no longer run.

DM belied Arevalo’s claims, citing her stellar academic achievement, participation in socio-civic engagements, previous positions held in the student council, involvement in several projects and outreach programs, and membership in different organizations.

She emphasized that she was nominated by a political party with a full slate of candidates from mayor to councilors under the People’s Reform Party (PRP), following a proper vetting process that legitimized her candidacy.

The petitioner stressed that a political background is not a qualification for candidates running for mayor.

“Otherwise, the pool of candidates would be severely restricted, contrary to the nature of a representative democracy.”

DM argued that personal motivations are an inherent part of running for office and do not contradict a commitment to serve.

She also stated that her public statement referenced in the petition to label her a nuisance candidate was quoted selectively and incompletely, misrepresenting her words.