Comelec names Brian Yamsuan as Bicol Saro party-list's new first nominee
By Dhel Nazario
The Commission on Elections has named Brian Raymund Yamsuan as the new first nominee of the Bicol Saro party-list following the vacancy in the seat for party-list representatives in the House of Representatives (HOR).

In the statement provided by Comelec spokesman Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, he stated that the poll body has issued a Certificate of Proclamation in favor of Yamsuan.
According to Comelec, the vacancy in the seat of Bicol Saro party-list was certified by the HOR through a letter from Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco dated Feb. 15, 2023.
The letter stated that Rep. Nicolas C. Enciso VIII has been expelled from Bicol Saro party-list, which is a ground for his removal from office and in effect created the vacancy.
"The list of new nominees of Bicol Saro Party List, with Yamsuan as its new nominee no. 1, was given due course by Comelec, considering that the withdrawal of nomination of the old list of nominees as initially submitted was already granted by Comelec on 1 February 2023," Laudiangco said in a statement.
It can be recalled that on Feb. 1, Laudiangco said that Comelec was constrained to only note the withdrawal of Nicolas C. Enciso VIII as the first nominee of Bicol Saro party-list, considering that the poll body has no jurisdiction over the expulsion of a member of HOR from his party-list organization as ruled in Atty. Isidro Q. Lico et al vs. Commission on Elections.
He explained that the letter is in compliance with Minute Resolution No. 15-0271, which provides guidelines in order for the succession of nominees in the party-list system to properly take place.
Laudiangco added that the "applicable ground" in this case provides "that a formal communication be received by Comelec from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, himself acknowledging and declaring, that indeed a vacancy exists in the seat of the party list; and requesting for a certification as to the nominee next-in-line as approved by COMELEC."