Comelec says it can suspend proclamation of candidates with pending disqualification cases

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections on Friday said it has the power to suspend the proclamation of winning candidates in the midterm elections if they have pending disqualification cases regardless of grounds.</p><p>In a chance interview with reporters, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said this covers grounds arising from issues on the candidate’s campaign rallies and other election offenses.</p><p>“Kung hindi namin sila i-proclaim, in the meantime, halimbawa ang position niya ay local, ang pansamantalang uupo — kung position ng mayor, ang vice mayor ang acting pansamantala. Hindi yun permanente, hangga’t walang desisyon ang Comelec,” Garcia said. </p><p>(If we do not proclaim a winning candidate... for example, in a local race for mayor, the vice mayor can sit in an acting capacity until the Comelec decides on the case)</p><p>The decision, he said, would be under the discretion of a Comelec division or the commission en banc depending on the case filed.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/5/comelec-to-issue-show-cause-orders-vs-candidates-using-sexist-remarks-in-political-speeches-1956">Comelec to issue show cause orders vs candidates using sexist remarks in political speeches</a></div><p>“Aalamin muna [kung] may merits ba ang case. Kung may merits, pwede natin i-suspend ang proclamation,” the poll chief said. </p><p>(We will need to know if the case has merit. If there is, we can suspend proclamation)</p><p>He said that Comelec has jurisdiction over candidates with disqualification cases until they are proclaimed and take their oaths of office.</p><p>“Hindi nawawala ang jurisdiction ng Comelec, sa criminal case. Because ang nagde-determine ng probable cause sa paglabag sa election law ay ang Comelec, ” he said. </p><p>(Comelec does not lose jurisdiction over criminal cases because the commission determines probable cause for alleged violations of election law)</p><p>Garcia issued the statement following the issuance of several show-cause orders to different local and national candidates due to alleged violation of campaign guidelines. </p><p>The poll body this week also said it received 63 complaints of alleged vote-buying and abuse of state resources as the 2025 national and local elections draw near.  </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yb4pEdq2XHs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Commission on Elections on Friday said it has the power to suspend the proclamation of winning candidates in the midterm elections if they have pending disqualification cases.</p>

The Commission on Elections on Friday said it has the power to suspend the proclamation of winning candidates in the midterm elections if they have pending disqualification cases.

Comelec says it can suspend proclamation of candidates with pending disqualification cases | ABS-CBN

Halalan 2025

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Lifestyle

Sports

More

Traffic

Horoscope

Nation

Comelec says it can suspend proclamation of candidates with pending disqualification cases

Comelec says it can suspend proclamation of candidates with pending disqualification cases

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 11, 2025 12:14 PM PHT

Read More:

Halalan 2025

Commission on Elections

Comelec

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.