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Special elections in Valenzuela requires document from House, poll chief clarifies

Philippines | National

Special elections in Valenzuela requires document from House, poll chief clarifies

By Dhel Nazario

A special election is not yet certain in Valenzuela City after First District Representative Rex Gatchalian vacated his post on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to be the new secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia talks during a press conference at their office in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2023. (Ali Vicoy)

In a statement, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia, that a "trigger document" is needed before they can proceed with a special election.

"Kailangan muna na magkaroon ng Declaration of Vacancy ang House of Representatives (HOR) para mag-trigger at mag-initiate ang Comelec ng Special Election (There must be a Declaration of Vacancy from the HOR for the Comelec to initiate a Special Election)," he explained.

"Otherwise ang Congress puwedeng maglagay ng caretaker lang (Otherwise, Congress may just put a caretaker)," he added.

He also mentioned that Congress must also issue a call for Special Election.

In a Twitter post, Gatchalian told his constituents not to worry and that everything will be "business as usual," stating that a caretaker will be appointed by the HOR in the coming days.

Gatchalian will be taking over the top position in DSWD which was previously held by officer-in-charge Undersecretary Edu Punay for over a month.

Related Tags

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) special elections comelec chairman george garcia Comelec Commission on Elections (Comelec) dswd secretary rex gatchalian

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