logo
Comelec-Manila sets Abante proclamation for July 8

Comelec-Manila sets Abante proclamation for July 8

GMA Network07-07-2025
The local Commission on Elections (Comelec) of Manila has set the proclamation of Benny Abante as the winner of the congressional race for the city's 6th district on Tuesday, July 8.
According to a notice issued Monday, the local poll body office said the Manila board of canvassers (CBOC) will reconvene to proceed with Abante's proclamation. It will be held at the Office of the Election Officer in Ermita at 9 a.m.
The Comelec en banc earlier issued a certificate of finality and entry of judgment on the disqualification of Joey Chua, nullifying his proclamation as Manila 6th District Representative for the May polls.
The poll body, in the certificate, said their earlier decision junking the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by Uy against the June 18 resolution that voided his certificate of candidacy (COC) became final and executory after the Supreme Court (SC) did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the ruling within the five-day reglementary period.
'The records show that no restraining order has been issued by the SC with five days from receipt of the parties of the Resolution that would preclude the June 30, 2025 resolution of this Commission (En Banc) from being final and executory,' the certificate of finality reads.
'Now therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Resolution of the Commission (En Banc) promulgated on 30 June 2025 is hereby declared immediately executory in accordance with the Comelec Rules of Procedure,' it added.
Poll chief George Erwin Garcia previously said that based on Comelec rules, a local poll body office should first issue a notice of meeting of the BOC to inform all parties that they will convene and discuss the details for the proclamation.
A subsequent notice to proclaim will also be issued thereafter. — BM, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PH online gambling ban pushed anew in House, Senate
PH online gambling ban pushed anew in House, Senate

GMA Network

time7 hours ago

  • GMA Network

PH online gambling ban pushed anew in House, Senate

More lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are keen on seeking an outright ban on online gambling, arguing that industry regulation as proposed by some of their other colleagues would not be enough. Manila Representative Benny Abante has filed House Bill 1876 that aims to impose a ban on online gambling and offsite betting. He said online gambling has become an epidemic that "threatens the soul of the nation." "Online gambling is not just a vice—it is a virus. It is an addiction that eats away at the moral fiber of our society. It erodes the values we teach our children, and it devastates the finances of Filipino families," Abante said in a press conference. "Gambling has always profited off addiction. And today, it is worse because it has gone digital, viral, and global. There is nowhere a gambling addict can go to resist temptation because an addict cannot avoid casinos or cockpits if these are in the palms of their hands," Abante added. Abante then said that while online gambling generates billions of government revenues that fund social services such as classrooms and healthcare, the risk is not worth it. "No amount of government revenue can justify the human costs of this evil pastime. We cannot continue to build schools or roads with money soaked in the blood of fathers who have lost their savings, or of children who gambled away their futures," Abante said. "We should not heal our citizens with resources generated from an industry that harms our fellow Filipinos," Abante added. Several lawmakers have been split on how to deal with the proliferation of online gambling and casinos, with some pushing for restrictions while others seek an outright ban. In the upper chamber, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also earlier filed a similar measure last July 7 as part of his 10 priority measures. 'Epidemic' For his part, Senator Raffy Tulfo said Tuesday that he will also file a bill seeking a total ban—not just merely regulation—of online gambling in the country, which he called an "epidemic." "Merong nagaganap na epidemic ngayon sa ating bansa at lumalala nang lumalala ang epidemic na ito. It's about time na lahat tayo magtulung-tulungan para magamot itong malalang epidemic," he said in a press conference. (There is an epidemic happening in our country right now and it's getting worse and worse. It's about time that we all work together to address this serious epidemic.) Ban, not regulate Tulfo said he is not for regulating online gambling despite concerns that a total ban would result in its underground operations. He said it is the job of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to address such concerns. He also said that even government officials linked in the proliferation of online gambling should be investigated. "That has to be investigated. Dapat imbestigahan—sino 'yung mga pulitiko, sino 'yung mga malalaking opisyal na involved sa online gambling, online gaming. Eh 'di sampahan ng kaso sa Ombudsman, sampahan ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are," he said. (That has to be investigated. Probes should be launched to uncover the politicians and top officials involved in online gambling and online gaming. Cases should be filed against them before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan. Find out who these people are.) "Kahit na sabihin nating legal, dapat ang mga pulitiko ay nagsisilbi sa taumbayan. Ang pangit naman 'yung kanilang pinagsisilbihan, 'yun 'yung tinatamaan nu'ng kanilang negosyo o kanilang involvement," he added. (Even if they say that's legal, politicians should serve the people. It doesn't look good if the people they are supposed to serve are affected by their business or affiliation with online gambling.) Even accredited platforms In his bill, Tulfo said he would push for the ban of all online gaming platforms, including those accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The senator also called on PAGCOR to prohibit all forms of advertisements of online gambling, even in social media, television and radio. PAGCOR earlier announced that it has ordered gaming licensees and other industry stakeholders to dismantle all billboards and out-of-home gambling advertisements by August 15 this year. Tulfo further expressed hope that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will mention in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28 the country's worsening problem with online gambling. "Sana makarating sa Pangulo kung gaano kalala na itong problema sa online gaming. At sana 'wag siyang lokohin, meaning 'wag siyang bigyan ng wrong information. Kasi usually 'yung ating Pangulo, umaasa lang naman 'yan doon sa mga advisers niya, sa mga alter ego niya kung ano sinasabi sa kanya, 'yun ang pinapakinggan niya," he added. (I hope this bad problem in online gaming reaches the President. And I hope he doesn't get fooled by the people giving him advice.) Gov't-regulated Also on Thursday, digital finance companies association FinTech Alliance PH said it is pushing for stricter regulations and enhanced regulatory measures for licensed online gaming platforms and their users. FinTech Alliance PH includes major players in the digital finance sector such as GCash, RCBC, CIMB Bank, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Maya, Tonik, GoTyme Bank, GrabPay, Xendit, and Smart Communications. Over the weekend, three of the country's largest integrated resort-casino operators assured that their online gaming operations comply with laws and regulations. In a joint statement, Solaire Resort, Newport World Resorts, and Okada Manila said, "Our online gaming operations are a regulated and responsibly managed extension of our operations—designed to complement our primary offerings." Earlier, online gaming operators licensed with PAGCOR called for stronger regulation but warned against a total ban on their industry, saying that doing so may prompt Filipino users to shift to unregulated sites in the black market. They also said a ban would risk losing billions of pesos in revenue for the Philippines, instead of keeping pace with regional neighbors that are modernizing gaming regulations to attract investments and protect players. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

House probe on missing sabungeros sought
House probe on missing sabungeros sought

GMA Network

time10 hours ago

  • GMA Network

House probe on missing sabungeros sought

A congressional inquiry on the missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) has been proposed in the House of Representatives amid the ongoing search for their possible remains in Taal Lake. Manila Rep. Benny Abante made the call under House Resolution 53, saying that the disappearance of 34 sabungeros between 2021 to 2022 is just as worse as extrajudicial killings. 'The disappearance of the 'missing sabungeros' is no different from the extrajudicial killings in the fight against illegal drugs, a clear violation of human rights which is no longer just about gambling but about justice, accountability, the rule of law, and blatant disrespect of and disregard to the value and dignity of human life,' Abante's Resolution read. 'Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the House of Representatives, condemn as it hereby condemns in the strongest terms, the abduction and supposed killing of the 'missing' sabungeros; Resolved further, that the House of Representatives conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of these sabungeros,' the Resolution added. It was one of the accused, Julie "Dondon' Patidongan or alias Totoy, who claimed that more than 100 sabungeros were abducted, killed, and then dumped at Taal Lake. Likewise, Totoy accused businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto, as well as police officials, of being involved in their disappearance. Ang and a number of police officials identified by Totoy have denied such allegations. Meanwhile, the same Resolution also called for the reinstatement of the House Quad Committee under the 20th Congress to probe the case of missing sabungeros. The House Quad Committee under the previous 19th Congress, composed of four House panels on dangerous drugs, accounts, human rights and public order/safety investigated the drug war killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Congress has the authority to conduct investigations in aid of legislation and has the authority to recommend the filing of criminal charges based on the results of the congressional inquiry. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

Comelec: One-year appointment ban on losing candidates in effect
Comelec: One-year appointment ban on losing candidates in effect

GMA Network

timea day ago

  • GMA Network

Comelec: One-year appointment ban on losing candidates in effect

The Commission on Elections reiterated Monday that unsuccessful Eleksyon 2025 could not be appointed to any government positions one year after the polls. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the remarks after a losing local candidate posted on social media a photo with government officials, thanking them for the opportunity to serve again. The post has been take down. Sought for comment, an executive assistant of one of the officials seen in the photo told GMA News Online that no appointment has been issued yet because of the ban. "Nakalagay sa ating Saligang Batas saka sa Election Code na bawal ang kahit anong appointment sa pamahalaan isang taon pagkatapos ang elections," Garcia told reporters. (The Constitution and the Election Code prohibits appointment one year after the polls.) "Kung ano ang nature ng appointment, maaaring 'yan ay debatable. Maaaring subject sa interpretation pero kami basta appointment, kino-consider namin na prohibited. Kung paano nila ide-depensa ang sarili nila sila ang bahala diyan. Nasa sa kanila yan," he added. (The nature of the appointment may be debatable or subject to interpretation but for the Comelec, we consider all appointments as prohibited. How they will defend themselves is up to them.) The 1987 Constitution states that 'no candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one year after such election, be appointed to any office in the government or any government-owned or controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries'. Violators, including those who issued the appointment, may be subject to criminal, administrative, and civil charges, according to Garcia. 'Inuulit natin, lahat ng natalo sa halalan, 'di pupwedeng maitalaga sa pamahalaan one year after ng elections,' he added. (Again, all losing candidates are not allowed to hold government positions a year after the polls.) —with Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store