By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the suspension of the proclamation of 19 local candidates and a party-list group in case they win in the 2025 midterm elections.
According to separate rulings by the Commission en banc as well as the 1st and 2nd Divisions, the candidates will not be able to serve their respective positions until their pending cases have been resolved.
Among these candidates are Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, who is seeking to represent Marikina’s 1st District in the House of Representatives (en banc); Christian De Guzman Sia, Pasig representative (2nd Division); Matt Florido, 3rd District, Quezon (en banc); Philip Fortuno, 5th District, Camarines Sur (en banc); and PBBM party-list (en banc).
To recall, two petitions seeking to cancel Teodoro’s certificate of candidacy over alleged material misrepresentation have been filed with the Comelec, one of them by his contender in the congressional seat, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
Other local bets whose proclamations have also been ordered suspended are:
- Ronald Rodriguez, governor, Camarines Sur (en banc);
- Christian Noveras, governor, Aurora (1st Division);
- Gerardo Noveras and/or Christine Marie Noveras, vice governor, Aurora (en banc);
- Fatima Sali Salih, mayor, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi (en banc);
- Belshezzar Abubakar, mayor, Panglima Estino, Sulu (en banc);
- Ricardo Yanson, mayor, Cataingan, Masbate (en banc);
- Darwin Sia, Sangguniang Panglungsod member, 2nd District of Manila (en banc);
- Aquino Romato, mayor, Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur (en banc);
- Jeryll Harold Respicio, vice mayor, Reina Mercedes, Isabela (1st Division);
- Menandro Buenafe, Sangguniang Bayan, Lagangilang, Abra (1st Division);
- James Macasero, Sangguniang Panglungsod, Malabon (en banc);
- Dani Mando, Sangguniang Bayan, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur (1st Division);
- Mando Taha, mayor, Municipality of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur (1st Division); and
- Isaias Noveras Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Aurora (2nd Division)
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said Tuesday he has inhibited from the hearings of the Commission en banc and just let the majority of the members decide on the cases.
“Until the case is resolved, no one will be able to hold office or will be proclaimed, even if he or she has won,” he said in a press briefing.
