Comelec upholds decision declaring Abante as Manila congressman

Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has upheld the decision of the Comelec Second Division to annul the proclamation of Manila City 6th District Representative-elect Joey Chua Uy and to declare Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. as the rightful winner of the congressional race.

In a 12-page resolution dated June 30, the Comelec en banc denied Uy’s motion for reconsideration.

The en banc also directed the Manila City Board of Canvassers to reconvene and proclaim Abante as the duly elected representative of the city’s 6th District.

READ: Comelec division declares Abante winner of Manila’s 6th district

“The Resolution of the Commission (Second Division) dated 18 June 2025 is AFFIRMED. The proclamation of LUIS “JOEY” CHUA UY as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth (6th) District of the City of Manila is hereby ANNULLED,” the resolution reads.

“The Board of Canvassers of the City of Manila is hereby directed to RECONVENE and PROCLAIM Petitioner BIENVENIDO “BENNY” ABANTE JR., the only qualified candidate, as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth District of the City of Manila,” it adds.

READ: Manila’s Joey Uy files motion for reconsideration vs Comelec

On June 18, the Comelec Second Division voided the certificate of candidacy of Uy for alleged material misrepresentation of his citizenship. The division also ruled that the votes cast for Uy be considered stray.

Abante lost his reelection bid to Uy in a tight race, receiving 63,358 votes compared to Uy’s 64,746./mcm/abc