The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez runs unopposed as representative of the first district of Leyte.
COMELEC Spokesperson Atty John Rex Laudiangco told Brigada News FM Manila that the other aspirant running against Romualdez was disqualified due to being a non-registered voter of Leyte’s first district.
“ Nadisqualify at natanggal ang pangalan sa kadahilanan pong may ruling ang korte na hindi sya registered voter sa lugar na yon kaya nagkaroon ng cancellation ng COC kaya natanggal po yong tumatakbo dyan.” Laudiangco said
Laudiangco added that the disqualified aspirant whom he did not name did not file Motion for Reconsideration in the Supreme Court and since there was no Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), so they decided to remove the name in the ballot.
The issue stirred a controversy when COMELEC released the names of the aspirants in November 2024 where aside from Romualdez there were three other names listed to be vying for the said congressional post.
Other aspirants listed were Nene Bacale, Danilo Chua and Minerva Gaut.
Recently, the COMELEC posted on their website the final list of the aspirants vying for the different positions and many were surprised that only Romualdez’ name was there and the other names were nowhere to be found.
It happened on the same week that COMELEC started to print the actual ballots to be used in the 2025 Midterm Elections.
Atty. Jose Nick Mendros, COMELEC’s Head for National Task Force for the May 12 National and Local Elections explained to Brigada News FM Tacloban the individual cases of the ineligible aspirants.
Mendros said aspirant Danilo Chua filed Affidavit of Withdrawal before the Provincial Election Supervisor of Leyte.
He added that aspirant Minerva Gaut was declared nuisance candidate by the COMELEC En Banc while Nene Bacale was disqualified being a non-registered voter of any areas under the First District of Leyte.
Based on election laws, unopposed candidates are not automatic winners as they need to have one vote to be elected and declared winner in the post they are seeking.
(HOR Photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.