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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'Allowed only before proclamation': Comelec on new DQ petition vs Mayor Vico

'Allowed only before proclamation': Comelec on new DQ petition vs Mayor Vico

Published May 21, 2025 12:03 pm

At A Glance

  • He added that after proclamation, only election protests or quo warranto petitions may be filed, not disqualification cases.
Re-elected Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is proclaimed by the City Board of Canvassers on May 13. (Photo from Pasig City PIO)
Re-elected Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is proclaimed by the City Board of Canvassers on May 13. (Photo from Pasig City PIO)
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified that disqualification petitions are only allowed before a candidate’s proclamation.
The poll body made the clarification after a new case was filed against Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
During a meeting of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas in Makati City, Comelec Chariman George Erwin Garcia said he was informed that someone is paying the filing fee for a disqualification petition filed on Tuesday, May 20, against Sotto.
He noted that he does not yet know the nature of the case but confirmed it involves the mayor.
“Kanina na report sa amin na parang may nagbabayad ng filing fee sa isang disqualification case na nai-file kanina involving the same personality (We were earlier informed that someone appears to be paying the filing fee for a disqualification case filed earlier today involving the same personality),” Garcia said.
“Hindi ko po alam kung anong nature (I don't know the nature of the case), but I was informed by the clerk of the commission that it was a petition to disqualify that candidate,” the chairman added.
However, Garcia clarified that such petitions are only allowed until before the official proclamation of candidates.
“Ang tanong, p'wede pa po ba ‘yun? Hindi ko po sasagutin 'yung merits. Kalimitan po kasi ang petition to disqualify ay p'wede lang mai-file before the proclamation of the candidates (The question is, is that still allowed? I will not comment on the merits. Usually, a petition to disqualify may only be filed before the proclamation of the candidates),” he explained.
He added that after proclamation, only election protests or quo warranto petitions may be filed, not disqualification cases.
"Except election protests o kaya quo warranto... o kaya naman gusto mong file-an ng kasong kriminal, election offense, pero ang disqualification po merong timeline hanggang period lang before proclamation," he added.
Meanwhile, Sotto’s camp said they have not received a copy of the petition and only learned about it on Tuesday through news reports.
Sotto was officially proclaimed on May 13 after securing a landslide victory in the midterm elections, garnering 351,392 votes—far ahead of his main opponent, Sarah Discaya, who received 29,591 votes.
Related stories:
https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/13/tuloy-ang-good-governance-pasiguenos-re-elect-mayor-vico-in-landslide-victory
https://mb.com.ph/2025/05/10/mayor-vico-on-vote-buying-complaint-kantahan-na-lang-natin-sila

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Metro News Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto Comelec
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