MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cancelled the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Albay Governor Noel Rosal for the 2025 midterm elections due to misrepresentation.

In a 12-page decision promulgated by the Comelec Second Division on Oct. 21 and released on Tuesday, the poll body granted the petition filed by Ligao City resident Adrian Loterte seeking to cancel Rosal’s COC.

“Accordingly, the votes cast in favor of respondent are considered stray,” the decision stated.

The Comelec ruled that Rosal misrepresented himself in his COC by claiming eligibility to run for governor despite being convicted by the Office of the Ombudsman for grave misconduct on June 18, 2024, which carried the penalty of dismissal from service.

“Respondent’s declaration in his COC, which constitute his qualifications for governor, is material and false, considering he misrepresented the fact that he is no longer qualified to run for office,” the ruling said.

The poll body added that Rosal’s act of signing and swearing to the truth of his COC declarations showed a deliberate misrepresentation that could mislead voters about his qualification for the position.

The decision, however, may still be appealed before the Comelec en banc.

Rosal won the Albay gubernatorial race in the May 12 elections with 404,015 votes, defeating former governor Joey Salceda, who garnered 394,822 votes. (PNA)