SC allows substitute candidate to run for Limay, Bataan vice mayor

The Supreme Court (SC) has reversed the ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that rejected a substitute aspirant's certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice mayor in Limay, Bataan in Eleksyon 2025.

The SC en banc granted Marie Grace David's petition and permanently prohibited the poll body from implementing its January 2025 resolution and other issuances.

In a statement, the SC said David filed her COC and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) in December following her nomination under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas as a substitute of Richie Jason David.

Richie Jason withdrew his COC on December 6, 2024.

Marie Grace also filed a petition for substitution and inclusion in the official list of candidates or ballots before the Comelec.

However, the poll body denied her substitution, ruling that she failed to file her COC and CONA within the prescribed period as the deadline for the substitution due to a candidate's withdrawal was on October 8.

The SC ruled that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion disallowing her substitution.

It found that she fully complied with the requirement of Section 77 under the Omnibus Election Code, which provides for the timeline for substitution, and is a bona fide candidate for the position.

The high tribunal had issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on January 14 preventing the Comelec from implementing the resolution.

Sought for comment on the matter, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said her name is already included in the ballots due to the TRO.

Garcia said the Comelec is looking into the possible effect of the ruling, adding that the poll body has yet to receive a copy of the SC decision.

"'Yun po ang pinag-aaralan namin, 'yung effect (That's what we are studying, the effect)," Garcia told GMA News Online when asked if the SC decision may be a legal basis for the substitution of candidates in the upcoming midterm polls. 

"Kaya gusto po namin malaman ang reason (That's why we want to know the reason)," Garcia added. — with a report from Sundy Locus/ VDV/KG, GMA Integrated News

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