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EVEN if he?s behind bars in the national penitentiary, former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas wants to run for Cebu's 5th congressional district.
Wagas, convicted by the Sandiganbayan on a charge of fund malversation, yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy through his brother, Ritchie, Compostela?s incumbent mayor.
The jailed Wagas is going up against reelectionist Rep. Ramon ?Red? Durano VI.
He will run under the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former president Joseph Estrada.
Ritchie said his brother can still run for public office since the verdict of the Sandiganbayan was not final with their pending petition for review with the Supreme Court.
Comelec provincial supervisor Lionel Castillano said he has to accept Gilbert's COC as part of the ministerial function of the office.
He said the Comelec will decide on the legality of Gilbert's bid once a petition for disqualification is filed against him.
?Justice for Gilbert. Justice for all victims of political persecution. This is power of a dynasty versus people power,? Ritchie told reporters.
Ritchie was accompanied by his aunt Virginia, lawyer Ernesto Rama, and about 50 supporters.
In a letter, Gilbert said being in jail is no hindrance to his quest to seek justice.
Ritchie said his brother was a ?victim of injustice and political persecution.?
Ritchie, who is running for reelection, blamed his brother's detention on Rep. Durano.
Ritchie said they have a pending motion to lift the arrest warrant against his brother which remains unresolved by the Sandiganbayan.
He said the Supreme Court still has to resolve their petition for review on the Sandiganbayan's decision convicting Gilbert guilty of malversation of funds.
