SC reminds Comelec to consider time for appeals in election schedule

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) reminded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday that disqualified candidates may appeal their cases to the high court, which could take time to resolve.

The SC made this statement after assuring the public that it is considering the printing schedule of ballots for the 2025 midterm elections when resolving cases involving the disqualification of certain candidates.

“The Court does consider the printing of the ballots of course, but then it did remind the Comelec … [they] should also be aware that in disqualifying candidates, there’s a big chance that these candidates are going to be bringing the issue before the SC and that the SC would need time to actually resolve their cases,” said SC spokesperson Camille Ting in a press conference, in response to a question about whether the court considers the potential impact on Comelec’s functions as it resolves cases with the elections approaching.

According to Ting, the SC has so far received 25 petitions requesting a temporary restraining order against Comelec’s disqualification of “nuisance candidates.”

Of these, the SC has already acted on 11, with the latest being Norman Mangusin, also known as Francis Leo Marcos, and dismissed Albay Gov. Noel Rosal

The other petitions are from the following candidates:

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• Subair Guinthum Mustapha, running for a senate post;
• Former Caloocan City representative Edgar Erice, running for representative of Caloocan City’s 2nd district;
• Charles Savellano, running for representative of Ilocos Sur’s first district;
• Chito Bulatao Balintay, running for Zambales governor;
• Florendo de Ramos Ritualo, Jr. running for a seat as a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the first district of San Juan City;
• Marie Grace David, running for vice mayor in Limay, Bataan;
• Mary Dominique Oñate, running for mayor of Palompon, Leyte;
• Aldrin Sta. Ana., running for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan; and
• Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, running for another term as mayor.

“These are the TROs the SC have issued so far, and it’s really up to the Comelec how they will implement the orders,” said Ting.

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When asked what would happen if Comelec failed to comply with the TROs by excluding the aforementioned candidates from the ballot, Ting responded that the SC would still need to determine the next steps.

READ: SC stops Francis Leo Marcos’ disqualification from 2025 elections