Comelec: More resolutions on pending cases out before June 30

Commission on Elections chief George Erwin Garcia — File photo by Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections will release more decisions on pending cases filed before the poll body before June 30, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Thursday.

Garcia reiterated this commitment just four days before the newly elected leaders assume their office.

“Controversial or not, the Comelec will release [resolutions] before June 30. Especially if the candidate [is set for] proclamation, so that when June 30 comes, there will be no doubts,” Garcia told reporters.

“And it will be clear if the candidates who won in the elections will assume office or not,” Garcia added.

Garcia said that the poll body may not base the timeline to resolve cases on June 30 but it is the day enshrined in the Constitution as the start of a new term for elected leaders in the May 2025 elections.

This also came after the Comelec en banc on Wednesday lifted the order of suspension of proclamation of Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro for winning the Marikina City 1st District congressional race. The Comelec en banc reinstated Teodoro’s certificate of candidacy (COC) after the Comelec First Division cancelled it for alleged material misrepresentation on his address.

READ: Comelec lifts suspension on Marcy Teodoro’s win as Marikina rep

However, Teodoro will not yet be proclaimed as a winner until the en banc’s decision becomes final and executory five days after the ruling is released. Garcia also said that the poll body will comply with the Supreme Court once a temporary restraining order is issued to halt them from implementing the order.

Aside from this, the poll body is expected to resolve the cases revolving the Duterte Youth Party-list and the declaration of Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. as duly elected representative of Manila’s 6th District in the 2025 midterm elections.

The Comelec Second Division cancelled the registration of Duterte Youth Party-list based on a 2019 petition seeking to nullify its registration for alleged failure to publish its petition for accreditation.

READ: Comelec 2nd Division cancels Duterte Youth party-list’s registration

Meanwhile, Abante’s declaration as a representative-elect came after the Comelec Second Division voided the COC and proclamation of his rival, Joey Uy, over alleged material misrepresentation on citizenship in his COC.

Garcia earlier said that Abante’s proclamation is pending since the decision of the second division is not yet final and executory. Garcia noted that Uy will assume office on June 30 since he was already proclaimed as a representative-elect.

The Duterte Youth Party-list and Uy have both filed their motion for reconsideration before the poll body. This means that their cases will now be in the hands of the Comelec en banc. /das