Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780474991656HJ2L1rNacAE9k_l (6).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rep. Kiko Barzaga interact with members of the House of Representatives during the impeachment proceedings of Sara Duterte at the House of Representatives of the Philippines on April 14, 2026<em>. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections said former Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga may still run for public office despite his expulsion from the House of Representatives.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/2/house-panel-recommends-kiko-barzaga-s-expulsion-1825">House expels Kiko Barzaga after multiple suspensions</a></div><p>Comelec chairman George Garcia told reporters that Barzaga’s expulsion, being administrative in nature, does not constitute grounds for perpetual disqualification from holding office.</p><p>&quot;Yes, pwede siya mag-file sapagkat yung kanyang pagkakatanggal sa pagiging kongresista ay hindi po perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” Garcia said.</p><p>He clarified that an expelled member of Congress may still file a certificate of candidacy as long as constitutional requirements are met.</p><p>He added that expulsion is different from criminal conviction, which may carry perpetual disqualification.</p><p>“Pagka na-convict ka, may nakalagay kalimitan na may dagdag na parusa na perpetual disqualification to hold. So ito po walang nakalagay na ganun klase na karagdagang parusa,” Garcia said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SPECIAL ELECTIONS </strong></div><p>Following Barzaga’s expulsion, the commission is eyeing Aug. 22 or Aug. 29, 2026, for the possible special election in Cavite’s lone district of Dasmariñas, which must be held within 60 to 90 days from the vacancy.</p><p>The Comelec chief also said the poll body does not need a declaration from Congress before acting on a vacancy and preparing for a special election.</p><p>“Hindi na namin kinakailangan din na manghingi ng deklarasyon na mayroong vacancy. Basta nadinig namin, napanood sa TV, nakita sa social media, ito po ay sapat na upang ang Comelec ay magsimula ng paghahanda at mag-fix ng date,” he added.</p><p>Garcia said the poll body is reviewing the Supreme Court ruling in Hagedorn v. House of Representatives to assess if the conduct of a special election is mandatory or discretionary.</p><p>“Kung tutuusin, tayo po ay nasa labas pa ng isang taon bago ang susunod na halalang 2028. Kung kaya naman, kung tutuusin, parang lumalabas, kakailanganin talaga natin mag-hold ng special election,” he said.</p><p>Garcia also acknowledged budget constraints for a possible special election in Cavite’s 4th District, saying the cost could reach P200 million given its 437,730 voter population</p><p>He said the commission may seek funds from the contingency fund of the executive branch.</p><p>“Muli po tayo susulat sa ating kagalang-galang na Pangulo, at least sa Department of Budget and Management, baka pwede kami mabigyan mula sa Contingency Fund ng budget,” Garcia said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MARCOLETA, ESCUDERO EXCLUDED FROM P.I. </strong></div><p>The poll body earlier issued subpoenas against several campaign contributors of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and Sen. Chiz Escudero as part of their preliminary investigation into alleged election law violations.</p><p>Among those summoned were Lawrence Lubiano, a campaign contributor to Escudero; former lawmaker Michael Defensor; and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray, who contributed to Marcoleta’s campaign.</p><p>The poll chief said Escudero was not included because matters concerning the senator are pending before the Supreme Court, whereas the complaint against his contributor is within Comelec’s jurisdiction.</p><p>“Walang makakapigil kay Comelec in the meantime na simulan ang proseso para doon sa kanyang provider o sa kanyang contributor or donor,” Garcia said.</p><p>As for Marcoleta, Garcia said the complaint against the senator had already been dismissed because the alleged violation is no longer considered a criminal offense under existing law.</p><p>Garcia acknowledged what he called an apparent imbalance in election laws governing donors and candidates.</p><p>&quot;Ako po, I will readily admit personally na may unfairness sya. Bakit ang politiko ligtas, bakit ang contributor hindi? Eh pero may mga magagawa po ba si Comelec? Kahit anong amin pong kalooban sa loob at kaisipan, ganun ang batas nagsasabi eh,” Garcia said.</p><p>The anti-graft court earlier issued a precautionary travel ban against Marcoleta, Defensor, Viray, and Espiritu as the Office of the Ombudsman conducts its separate investigation into the matter.</p><p>The Ombudsman previously said they are preparing a plunder case against the two senators.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</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/kXowTgG4o_8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></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/ioFZs4sQZOQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Comelec chairman George Garcia told reporters that Barzaga’s expulsion, being administrative in nature, does not constitute grounds for perpetual disqualification from holding office.</p>

Comelec chairman George Garcia told reporters that Barzaga’s expulsion, being administrative in nature, does not constitute grounds for perpetual disqualification from holding office.

Barzaga may still run for public office despite expulsion—Comelec

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Barzaga may still run for public office despite expulsion—Comelec

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 03, 2026 04:30 PM PHT

|

Updated June 03, 2026 07:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Comelec

Garcia

Kiko Barzaga

Marcoleta

Chiz

Escudero

election

Cavite

expulsion

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