The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has disqualified Silang, Cavite mayor-elect Alston Kevin Amutan Anarna after affirming that he is permanently barred from holding public office due to an earlier ruling by the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a resolution promulgated on June 19, 2025, Comelec granted the motion for reconsideration filed by incumbent Mayor Edward “Ted” Carranza and annulled Anarna’s proclamation as the duly elected mayor in the May 2025 National and Local Elections.
The poll body said allowing Anarna, who is administratively disqualified, to run for office would “render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile” and would “make a mockery of the electoral process.”
Comelec stressed its duty to ensure that only qualified and eligible individuals are allowed to seek public office.
Anarna had filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor on October 5, 2024, despite the Ombudsman’s previous ruling permanently disqualifying him from government service.
Comelec further ordered the Municipal Board of Canvassers of Silang to reconvene, correct the certificate of canvass of votes and proclamation, and proclaim the candidate with the highest number of valid votes—excluding those cast for Anarna, which were declared stray.
The Law Department of the Comelec has also been directed to conduct a preliminary investigation on the election offense aspect of the case.
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