Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
(UPDATE) MARIKINA City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro's name will remain on the ballot as a candidate for representative in the city's first district, despite a disqualification ruling by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division.
The final decision on his candidacy hinges on the resolution of his motion for reconsideration, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
Teodoro's disqualification stems from allegations of material misrepresentation in his certificate of candidacy (COC). The Comelec First Division ruled that the mayor's claim of residency in Barangay San Roque, located in the first district, was inconsistent. This ruling led to the cancellation of his COC for the 2025 national and local elections. However, Garcia said the disqualification is not yet final and executory.
The Comelec en banc — the commission's collective decision-making body — must issue a ruling and a certificate of finality to effectively remove Teodoro's name from the ballot, he said.
"Until a final decision is made, Teodoro's candidacy remains valid," Garcia added.
The en banc has the authority to overturn the First Division's ruling if Teodoro provides compelling new evidence or arguments in his motion for reconsideration.
"After presenting arguments in the motion for reconsideration, there may still be instances where a reversal can happen," Garcia said, emphasizing the importance of due process and the potential for the en banc to reevaluate the case.
Teodoro's continued inclusion on the ballot underscores the complexities of the electoral process and the impact of unresolved legal challenges on election preparations. Should the en banc ultimately uphold the disqualification, the votes cast for Teodoro may be considered stray, complicating the election outcome in Marikina's first district.
The case has drawn significant attention, as Teodoro is a prominent political figure in Marikina. The mayor's allies and supporters have expressed confidence in his ability to address the allegations and maintain his candidacy.
Despite the controversy, the Comelec's preparations for the May elections are moving forward. Ballot printing began as scheduled on Monday, with the inclusion of Teodoro's name reflecting his current status as a qualified candidate.