Comelec disqualifies Silang mayor-elect Anarna over Ombudsman ruling

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Alston Kevin Anarna from running for mayor of Silang, Cavite in the Eleksyon 2025 elections and nullified his proclamation as winner following a petition filed by former Mayor Ted Carranza.

Carranza's motion for reconsideration argued that an October 2024 Ombudsman decision found Anarna guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty, dismissing him from public office with permanent disqualification.

Comelec emphasized the importance of protecting election integrity by ensuring only qualified individuals run for office, stating that allowing disqualified candidates would undermine administrative discipline.

Lawyer Emil Marañon, representing Anarna's camp, criticized Comelec’s decision as a 'gross violation' of due process and said they will file a petition with the Supreme Court to reverse it.

Marañon argued that their client did not receive proper notice from Comelec and claimed that the Ombudsman ruling was non-final and pending resolution before the Court of Appeals, making Comelec's decision 'vulgarly illegal'.

Anarna won the mayoral race with 54,787 votes, nearly 15,000 more than his opponent, Carranza.

Marañon said they are confident that the poll body’s decision to disqualify Anarna will be reversed in a fair and impartial forum.