MANILA, Philippines – Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez can still run for the fourth congressional seat of Leyte even if she was unseated by the Supreme Court on a ruling that her substitution as a candidate in place of her husband, Richard Gomez, in the 2010 elections was invalid, Comelec said Wednesday.
Less than two months before the election, Leyte Congresswoman and TV personality Lucy Torres-Gomez was ousted by the Supreme Court.
In a decision released Tuesday, the highest tribunal of the land decided in a vote of 7-4-4 that the Ormoc City representative’s substitution for her husband Richard Gomez was invalid.
The actor was disqualified by Comelec for running in 4th district of Leyte last May 2010 elections due to residency requirement. He was substituted by his wife Lucy, who eventually won the congressional seat.
Rival Silverio Tagolino challenged the validity of the substitution Lucy in the SC, alleging that the certificate of candidacy of Gomez was cancelled, thus he could not be substituted.
Lucy Torres-Gomez is seeking re-election as congresswoman while Richard Gomez is running for mayor of Ormoc City.
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