LP expels Camarines Norte gov over sex scandal

Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado was ousted from the ruling Liberal Party a year after he was embroiled in a controversy over an alleged extra-marital affair.

The LP cleared Tallado of accusations of disloyalty to the party but cited the issue of immorality raised against him, GMA News correspondent Peewee Bacuño reported Wednesday.

"(The LP Committee) hereby resolves to remove Respondent Tallado from the roll of LP members," the LP said in its resolution, Bacuño reported.

GMA News tried to contact Tallado's camp for comment but has yet to receive a response.

In its resolution dated June 15, it also dismissed Tallado's complaint against Daet Mayor Tito Sarion for alleged disloyalty.

"Considering the foregoing, the (LP) Committee finds that... Tallado committed a grossly immoral act that has not only caused doubt as to his moral integrity, but it also tarnished the good name and reputation of the LP as a whole," the resolution read.

"The LP cannot ignore the public uproar that was caused by the scandal," it added.

The party added that while it cannot meddle with its members' marital problems, the magnitude of the controversy "is so overarching that it did not only smear Respondent Tallado's image but also that of the party."

Scandal

The scandal surfaced after Tallado's wife Josie disappeared but surfaced after nearly a week last October, and claimed that their problem stemmed from an alleged affair.

Calls mounted for Tallado's resignation following the scandal.

While Tallado apologized for the scandal, he threatened to go after those spreading photos of him with another woman.

A death threat signed "Gov" was found in the house of Mrs. Tallado's aide Darlene Francisco.

The report said Mrs. Tallado was prepared to reconcile with the governor, for the sake of their children and grandchildren.

But she said the governor had to show remorse and promise not to do it again.

Last November, some 3,000 women picketed the Camarines Norte provincial capitol to demand the ouster of Tallado. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News