Comelec sees need for funds for possible polls after Barzaga’s ouster

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will have to look for additional funds if it will conduct special elections in the lone district of Dasmariñas, Cavite following the expulsion of lawmaker Kiko Barzaga from the House of Representatives. 

This is what Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia answered when asked if the poll body will conduct special elections to fill the post that will be vacated by Barzaga. 

“We need to find a budget first. This is not included in any of our preparations,” Garcia told Inquirer in a Viber message. 

READ: House expels Barzaga over ‘disruptive’ and ‘disorderly’ behavior

Barzaga was expelled by the House of Representatives on Tuesday over his “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.

A total of 256 lawmakers voted in favor of the House ethics panel’s recommendation to have him dropped from the lower chamber, while 14 lawmakers voted against it, and eight abstained. 

Barzaga has been suspended twice for 60 days over his social media posts and alleged violation of rules governing the conduct of House members. 

When asked when the special elections should be held, Garcia said it should not be earlier than 60 days but not more than 90 days from the vacancy of the post.

He added that there is no need for a call from the House of Representatives to do the elections, citing a Supreme Court (SC) ruling. 

READ: Comelec can hold special polls without Congress’ nod – Supreme Court

The SC earlier ruled that the poll body can conduct special elections to fill a vacant congressional seat even without a resolution from the Congress.

It issued the ruling following its dismissal of a petition filed by Elroy John Hagedorn asking the high court to compel the lower chamber to officially declare a vacancy in the third district of Palawan and hold special elections. 

The post was vacated by Rep. Edward Hagedorn, who was elected in 2022 but died in October 2023. 

Garcia also said that Barzaga’s expulsion will be discussed in the Comelec en banc’s regular session on Wednesday. 

The last time that the poll body held special polls was on March 14, 2026 after the death of Rep. Romeo Acop in December 2025.

Acop’s son, Philip Conrad or “Bong,” was elected after obtaining 60,051 of 82,796 votes. /apl