SC allows Marie Grace David to run for vice mayor of Limay, Bataan
The Supreme Court (SC) has reversed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as it allowed Marie Grace R. David to run for vice mayor of Limay, Bataan in the 2025 national and local elections.
Last Jan. 14, the SC issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that stopped the Comelec from enforcing its order on Marie Grace’s disqualification as a substitute candidate.
During its full court session on Tuesday, March 4, the SC granted Marie Grace’s petition filed through the Gialogo and Associates law offices led by its managing partner lawyer Edward Gialogo.
A copy of the ruling was not available as of posting time.
A press briefer issued by the SC’s Office of the Spokesperson said that “the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion by disallowing the substitution of Marie Grace, finding that Marie Grace fully complied with the requirements of Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code, and hence, is a bona fide candidate for the position of Vice Mayor of Limay, Bataan.”
“The SC thus permanently prohibited the Comelec en banc (as full commission) from implementing its assailed Resolution dated Jan. 6, 2025 and related issuances,” the press briefer also stated.
On Dec. 2024, Richie Jason D. David withdrew his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice mayor of Limay.
With her nomination as the substitute candidate, Marie Grace filed her COC and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas’ certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA), and also filed a petition for substitution and inclusion in the official list of candidates/ballots before the Comelec.
However, the Comelec denied her substitution with a ruling that she failed to file her COC and CONA within the prescribed period under Section 59 of Comelec Resolution No. 11045 which provided for the deadline for substitution due to a candidate’s withdrawal.
With the adverse ruling from the Comelec, Marie Grace elevated her case before the SC.