SC orders Comelec to accept COC of aspirant for Zambales governor

The Supreme Court (SC) announced Tuesday that it has ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to accept the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Chito Balintay, a member of the Indigenous peoples of Zambales.

In a statement, the High Court said it directed the Comelec to include Balintay’s name in the official ballots for Zambales governor in the 2025 elections.

According to the court, Balintay filed his COC 25 minutes before the closing time on the last day of the filing.

However, his COC was incomplete and he was advised to complete his missing documents. He returned three minutes past the 5 p.m. deadline.

The SC said it found that Comelec gravely abused its discretion when it did not allow Balintay to file his COC.

“The SC has recognized that elections are not conducted under laboratory conditions – the COMELEC must be prepared to make quick decisions in response to unforeseen circumstances that could undermine or subvert the will of the voters,” the SC statement read.

“Given these considerations, along with Balintay’s unique circumstances, the SC found that the COMELEC’s strict application of its rules was unjustified, warranting the reversal of its decision,” it added.

When sought for comment, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the poll body has included Balintay’s name in the ballots.

“His name was already included in the ballots hence, he is a valid candidate,” Garcia said.

The SC previously issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prohibited the poll body from enforcing its decision to reject Balintay’s application. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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