CAVITE – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a certification stating that there is no resolution yet on the disqualification case filed against Silang mayoralty candidate Kevin A. Anarna.

The document, dated May 8, stated that the motion for reconsideration on the petition to cancel Anarna’s certificate of candidacy is still pending before the commission, and no resolution has been released in relation to the case.

The Comelec certification was released following the circulation of a fake resolution on Facebook falsely claiming that Anarna had been disqualified.

Comelec certification on the motion for reconsideration on the petition to cancel Anarna’s certificate of candidacy is still pending before the commission (MANILA BULLETIN)

In an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo’s Gising Pilipinas on Friday, May 9, Comelec Chairman George Garcia reminded voters to remain vigilant against misinformation, citing the incident in Silang as an example.

“Sana po, una, tingnan n’yo yung Comelec website. Number two, tingnan n'yo po yung pronouncement lagi natin, na kahit paano every hour, lagi naman po tayong may ibinibigay na pronouncement kung ano ang mga recent na pangyayari (First, I hope everyone checks the official Comelec website. Second, please also follow our pronouncements, we issue updates regularly, almost every hour, to inform the public of the latest developments),” Garcia said.

“‘Wag po nating basta paniniwalaan 'yung nakikita natin, lalo na sa social media (Let’s not immediately believe everything we see, especially on social media).”

On May 5, Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) issued a disqualification petition against Anarna.

Disqualification petition issued by the Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) against Anarna on May 5 (Comelec via Dhel Nazario/MANILA BULLETIN)

The disqualification case arose from a show-cause order issued against the mayoralty candidate for remarks he made on solo parents during a campaign event in March.

In an official statement posted on his Facebook page on May 9, Anarna apologized to those who have been offended by his comments, particularly to the members and supporters of the Solo Parents Partylist.

“Hindi ko intensyon na maliitin o saktan ang dignidad ng mga solo parent na araw-araw ay nagsusumikap at nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang mga anak. Bilang isang lingkod-bayan, kinikilala ko ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ninyo sa ating lipunan — kayo ay huwaran ng katatagan, lakas ng loob, at walang kapantay na pagmamahal (It was never my intention to belittle or hurt the dignity of solo parents who work hard and make daily sacrifices for their children. As a public servant, I recognize the important role you play in our society — you are models of resilience, courage, and unconditional love),” the statement read.