BACOLOD City – A village councilor from the town of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental, whose proclamation was suspended by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after being accused of premature campaigning during last year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, has finally been proclaimed.
Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, Comelec provincial elections supervisor, said the order against Kagawad Jose Rio Bisagar of Barangay Tabigue was lifted on Dec. 15, 2023. He was proclaimed the 4th kagawad of the said village the following day, Dec. 16, 2023.
Bisagar was one of 17 candidates in Negros Occidental who received a suspension of proclamation orders for alleged premature campaigning.
However, Ananoria clarified that even though Bisagar’s suspension order has been lifted, the investigation into the allegations against him is still pending.
Ananoria said Bisagar can still take his oath of office and sit as a village official. However, he could face the possibility of disqualification if the allegations against him were proven to be true. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
