MANILA, Philippines — For prematurely issuing a notice for a special election in Barangay Guiawa, Kabuntalan, Maguindanao in 2004, former election supervisor Lintang Bedol has been ordered suspended from practicing law for one year.

In a six-page resolution dated Sept. 16 and released yesterday, the Supreme Court’s (SC) Third Division issued a “stern warning” of a “more severe penalty” if Bedol would commit the same mistake.

Bedol’s suspension stemmed from a disbarment complaint filed by Mike Fermin, citing a resolution that the former poll official issued on July 27, 2004 declaring failure of election in one of the precincts in Barangay Guiawa and holding of a special election on July 28, 2004 based on a petition filed by Bai Susan Samad, a losing mayoral candidate.

Fermin said Bedol issued a notice dated July 23, 2004 informing candidates, political parties and registered voters on the holding of a special election.

The case was referred to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which said Bedol’s issuance of notices ahead of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution was “highly irregular if not totally wrong.”

Only the Comelec in full session can declare a failure of election.

The SC said Bedol’s claim that the notices were issued due to time constraints has no legal basis.

Bedol was dragged into the “Hello, Garci” scandal involving former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 elections.

In the 2007 midterm elections, he accused Arroyo of ensuring a 12-0 sweep for the senatorial candidates of the administration party in Maguindanao.