Comelec eyes disqualification case vs Cagayan de Oro local exec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is studying the possibility of filing a disqualification case against a barangay chairperson in Cagayan de Oro who allegedly issued over 8,000 barangay certificates, triggering an “unusual” increase in voter registration for the 2025 May polls. 

In a 13-page resolution, the Comelec en banc adopted the recommendations of a specialized task force and the Election and Barangay Affairs Department that conducted a probe into the alleged fraudulent and anomalous voter registration in Barangay Carmen. 

The investigation found the total number of registered voters in the Barangay Carmen soared to 56,837 in November 2024 from 32,218 in October 2023, translating to a 44.41% increase in voters. A total of 8,218 or 37.60% of the applicants registered with barangay certificates.

“The Commission, after due deliberation, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to adopt the recommendations of the Election and Barangay Affairs Department and the Special Task Force for the 2025 NLE and BPE in its Investigation Report regarding the fraudulent voters' registration in Barangay Carmen, 1st District, Cagayan de Oro,” the resolution read. 

“Resolved, further, refer this matter to the Law Department for the possible filing of disqualification case against the barangay captain who is currently running for the House of Representatives and for the filing of election offense case if the evidence warrants that the barangay certifications were indeed fraudulently issued,” it added. 

The other recommendations made by the task force were:

• For the Comelec En Banc to review the inclusion of barangay certification as acceptable proof of identity and residence by applicants for registration as voters, and to exclude the same in future conduct of registration of voters;
• To recommend to Congress of the Philippines the enactment of a law specifically prohibiting the use of barangay certification issued by Punong Barangays as proof of identity and residence for the purpose of applying for registration as voters;
• To recommend to Congress of the Philippines the enactment of a law specifically prohibiting the use of barangay certification issued by Punong Barangays as proof of identity and residence for the purpose of applying for registration as voters;
• To refer and/or coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government for the filing of administrative complaints against those Punong Barangay/s.

Lawmakers including Cagayan de Oro Representative Lordan Suan earlier raised alarm over reports of anomalous increase in new voters in the 2025 polls such as Batangas, Makati, and Nueva Ecija, among others.

She also wrote a letter to the Comelec regarding alleged voter registration anomalies in her province.

The Comelec earlier said it has formed a task force to look into the issue.—AOL, GMA Integrated News