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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Comelec junks DQ case vs Cebu governor

Comelec junks DQ case vs Cebu governor

Published Nov 19, 2025 07:45 pm
BARICUATRO (FB)
BARICUATRO (FB)
CEBU CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the disqualification case filed against Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.
In its Nov. 4, 2025 decision, the poll body’s First Division said the petition was dismissed after the complainant, Katrina Kowalik, failed to submit several essential documents needed to properly verify the information in her complaint.
Kowalik was the head of the Capitol’s social media unit under the administration of former Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Baricuatro defeated Garcia in the May elections with 1,107,924 votes. Garcia got just 765,051 votes.
One of the missing documents in the complaint was Baricuatro’s Certificate of Candidacy.
“Further, the petitioner failed to submit together with the petition a Proof of Service of the petition with complete annexes to the respondent, or an affidavit of service in case the former is not possible,” the Comelec stated.
The petition sought to disqualify Baricuatro for alleged violations of Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Act, as well as related Comelec resolutions.
Kowalik alleged that Baricuatro violated provisions of the Fair Election Act and related Comelec resolutions during the May 12 national and local elections. She cited a Facebook page that published a survey showing Baricuatro leading with 82 percent, which she argued constituted an election irregularity.
The poll body noted that Kowalik did not execute an affidavit of service or submit other evidence showing she attempted to deliver the petition through registered mail or courier service, as required under the rules.
“The use of the word ‘shall’ in the regulations imposes a compulsory obligation,” the Comelec said.

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Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro Comelec Disqualification case DQ case
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