Marcy Teodoro’s name to stay on 2025 ballot — Comelec

Commission on Elections chief George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, that Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro would still appear on the ballots for the 2025 elections despite being suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro’s name would still appear on the ballots for the 2025 elections despite being suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday.

Garcia said the suspension order does not affect the poll body as it covers the term of office of Teodoro’s administration. Teodoro is currently gunning for a seat in the House of Representatives.

READ: Ombudsman suspends Marikina City mayor, other city officials

“Hangga’t wala kaming desisyon na pinal sa kung siya man ay may kinahaharap na kaso o ng utos sa atin ng Korte Suprema na final judgment na tanggalin yung pangalan ng isang kandidato, mananatili siyang kandidato ano pa man ang tinanggap niya sa Office of the Ombudsman o kahit na anong korte,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

(Until we don’t have a final decision if he is facing any cases, or what the Supreme Court directs us on its final judgment to remove a name of a candidate, he will remain as a candidate, no matter what order he receives from the Office of the Ombudsman or any court.)

“Mayroong sariling determination ang Comelec sa mga kasong nakapending sa kanya,” Garcia added.

(The Comelec has its determination on his pending cases.)

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered a six-month preventive suspension against Teodoro and other city officials for alleged misallocation of P130 million Philippine Health Insurance Corporation funds.

The Ombudsman has found “sufficient grounds” to issue the suspension order “considering there is a strong evidence showing their guilt.”

READ: Marcy Teodoro would still be included in ballots – Comelec

Garcia previously said that Teodoro’s name would remain on the ballots after the Comelec First division granted a petition to cancel his certificate of candidacy for what was deemed as material misrepresentation of his address.

At that time, Garcia explained that Teodoro’s name and other candidates with pending motions would still be included on the ballots “as long as the Comelec has no final and executory decision.”