Erice files motion for reconsideration case vs disqualification

Former Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice on Monday filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) seeking to revert a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution disqualifying him from the 2025 May polls.

Erice arrived at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, with his supporters trooping infront of the headquarters of the poll body to show support for the ex-legislator.

“Ngayong araw na to magfa-file ako ng motion for reconsideration para sa aking disqualification. Ang dapat ay sagutin nila kaagad nila ito. Kung idi-disqualify nila ako, idisqualify nila ako,” Erice said in addressing his supporters.

(I am filing a motion for reconsideration against my disqualification case. The Comelec should resolve this swiftly.)

The former legislator expressed concern the poll body may “delay” the resolution of his disqualification case to prevent his name from being included in the ballot for the upcoming elections.

“Hihintayin ko ang decision ng Comelec, kung disqualified ako o hindi para makaakyat ako sa Korte Suprema at malaman natin sino ang tama,” he said.

(I will wait for the Comelec decision. If they will disqualify me, then I will go to the Supreme Court where we will find who is right.)

Last week, Comelec granted a petition seeking Erice's disqualification or supposedly spreading “false and alarming” information over the poll body's deal with South Korean firm Miru Systems Inc.

Erice denied the allegations and said he would contest his disqualification.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia previously said he is inhibiting from handling or participating in all cases involving the former legislator.

Meanwhile, Erice called on the remaining members of the Comelec  en banc to likewise inhibit themselves from the case.

“‘Yung anim na kasama niya sa lahat ng transaction with Miru at kasama sila sa inaakusahan ko kaya dapat mag-inhibit silang lahat para merong semblance of fairness,” Erice told reporters in an ambush interview. 

(The six members of the Comelec en banc who were involved with him in the Miru transaction should inhibit themselves from the case for a semblance of fairness.)

Sought for his comment, Garcia answered: “Bakit pa siya nag-file ng MR kung magi-inhibit ang lahat ng commissioners? Ano ang logic ng pag-file ng MR? Walang lohika. Pero kung magfa-file ka tapos ipapa-inhibit mo sino magde-desisyon? Walang ibang magdedesisyon sa Komisyon kundi ang miyembro ng en banc”.

(Why did he file an MR if he wants the en banc to inhibit? Where is in the logic? There is none. But if you will file then ask for us in the Commission to inhibit then who would decide on the case?)

It can be recalled Erice has repeatedly called on the Supreme Court to declare null and void the P17.99-billion contract between the Comelec and Miru Systems for the 2025 elections.

In November, Erice filed with the SC a supplement to an earlier petition, seeking to junk the agreement.

Aside from his petition against the Miru deal, Erice also filed an anti-graft and corruption practice complaint against Garcia with the Office of the Ombudsman.—RF, GMA Integrated News