Pamplona: Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona, Negros Oriental, is currently facing a disqualification complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) concerning her residency status in Siaton town as she campaigns for the 3rd congressional district seat in the upcoming May 12 polls.

According to Philippines News Agency, Degamo’s legal counsel, Andrei Bon Tagum, revealed in an online media interview that the disqualification case was filed with Comelec at the end of April. Tagum described the complaint as an attempt to undermine the mayor, stating, “It is just political propaganda to frustrate the people in the 3rd district,” particularly given the timing of the filing.

Tagum emphasized that Mayor Degamo, who is the widow of the late Governor Roel Degamo, has satisfied the one-year residency requirement necessary to qualify as a congressional candidate in the 3rd district. He further clarified that the Degamos have a residence in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton, where the late governor is interred, and they operate a fishing business from this location. On May 8, 2024, Mayor Degamo transferred her voter registration to Siaton town.

Despite not having received an official copy of the complaint from Comelec, Tagum mentioned that they were notified via email. The identity of the complainant remains unknown to them.

In response, the Commission on Elections in the region stated that they have not yet received a copy of the complaint. Comelec-Negros Island Region director Lionel Marco Castillano noted that disqualification cases are filed directly with their central office. He explained that if a candidate wins an election but has an unresolved disqualification case, Comelec typically orders a suspension of proclamation until the issue is conclusively resolved.