Murder raps won’t affect Daraga mayor’s re-election bid: Comelec

“A candidate cannot be disqualified on the basis of a criminal complaint alone. (It has) No significant effect on the official status of his candidacy,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview. (Photo by Elmer B. Domingo – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo can still run in the forthcoming May polls despite murder raps filed against him, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said Friday.

“A candidate cannot be disqualified on the basis of a criminal complaint alone. (It has) No significant effect on the official status of his candidacy,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview.

Jimenez noted that a candidate facing raps can only be disqualified once convicted with finality by the court.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has earlier tagged Baldo as the mastermind behind the killing of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort, SPO2 Orlando Diaz last December 22.

On Thursday, the PNP filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against Baldo and six others before the Provincial Prosecutor of Albay.