BALER, Aurora – Vice Gov. Gerardo “Jerry” A. Noveras has been removed from his position after the Commission on Elections en banc upheld the earlier decision of its First Division that ordered his disqualification.
The Comelec’s decision stemmed from a case filed by former Dipaculao Vice Mayor Narciso Amansec against Noveras on April 26, 2022.
Amansec accused Noveras of allegedly using his position as the then-governor of Aurora to utilize the province’s facilities and resources for his campaign for the vice gubernatorial post.
Amansec, then a board member, was running for the same position as Noveras in the local elections of 2022. He claimed to have witnessed the printing of campaign materials for Noveras within the Aurora Training Center compound.
In its decision dated July 10, 2023, the Comelec 1st Division ruled that Noveras committed a fraudulent scheme in causing a casual plantilla worker of the provincial government of Aurora to perform acts “in furtherance of his candidacy, including printing of campaign materials for Noveras using government properties and within government premises.”
Six months after filing the case against Noveras, Amansec, along with his wife Merlina and their driver, was killed by unidentified suspects inside their pickup truck in Barangay Dibatunan on Oct. 3. 2022.
The ruling by the Comelec en banc comes after a period of uncertainty when Amansec was unable to attend the preliminary hearing on May 17, 2022, which could have led to the immediate dismissal of his petition.
In its decision released on Sept. 6, 2023, the Comelec en banc emphasized their commitment to adjudicate the case based on legal merits rather than technicalities.
According to Rule 23 of the Comelec Rules, a case can be dismissed if the petitioner or their attorney fails to appear at the preliminary conference. However, the Comelec maintained that strict adherence to procedural rules should not impede the Commission’s efforts to prevent and penalize violations of election laws.
The Comelec en banc further ruled that Noveras can be disqualified under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that indirectly coerced individuals into actions beyond their professional scope in support of his candidacy.
In the resolution issued by the Comelec First Division, it was established that Noveras utilized his authority as governor to influence his subordinates within the provincial government to use government property and funds for his campaign.
“This Comelec decision marks a turning point in the quest for justice for the Amansec family, bringing to light the importance of upholding electoral integrity and ethical governance,” the Amansec family said in a statement.
Atty. Rene Cruz, provincial election supervisor of Aurora, said Noveras was given five days to make an appeal to the Supreme Court.
