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SINCE they have not been proven guilty of graft charges, former Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza are still qualified to run for public office in the May 2010 elections.
Both the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Ombudsman for the Visayas Office agree on this.
Both men were charged for involvement in the purchase and installation of lampposts during the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2007. But they have not been convicted of any crime as of now, said Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago.
Santiago said only those who were convicted in court could not qualify to run for public office.
Both men have administrative charges pending resolution with the Visayas Ombudsman. The criminal cases are pending with the Sandiganbayan.
Lionel Marco Castillano, Cebu provincial Comelec election supervisor, said disqualification from seeking a public position can only be implemented if an aspirant has been convicted with finality by court.
Even those who have been convicted can still file their certificate of candidacy, under an exception, Castillano said.
?We just have to receive any certificate of candidacy as part of our ministerial job,? Castillano said.
But once the application is opposed, then the Comelec will decide. But for now, nothing bars Ouano and Radaza from seeking a a public post as mandated in the Omnibus Election Code, stressed Castillano.
Ouano and Radaza are among several government officials impleaded five cases regarding the anomalous purchase and installation of lampposts.
