Latest news with #Eleksyon2025
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
VP Sara: Reconciling with Marcos not a priority
Vice President Sara Duterte said she is not prioritizing talks of reconciliation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the welfare of the public matters more than "personal issues." 'Unang-una, hindi muna siguro ako magsalita about reconciliation dahil hindi naman mahalaga siguro ang mga personal na problema... Ang mas mahalaga is 'yong taumbayan at iyong bayan natin,' she told reporters during an ambush interview at The Hague. (First of all, I don't think I should speak about reconciliation for now because personal problems are not important. What's more important is the people and our country.) VP Sara's comment comes days after Marcos disclosed that he is open to reconciling with the Dutertes. ''Oo, ako, ayoko ng gulo. Gusto ko magkasundo sa lahat ng tao. Mas maganda. Marami na kong kaaway, hindi ko kailangan ng kaaway, kailangan ko kaibigan,'' Marcos said in an interview with broadcaster Anthony Taberna. (I don't want trouble. I want to get along with everyone. It's better. I already have many enemies, I don't need enemies, I need friends.) READ: Uniteam no more: Timeline of Marcos-Duterte tandem's woes Dad wants to take oath VP Sara was in the Netherlands to visit her father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague due to crimes against humanity charges. She said she was able to see her father for an hour on Friday and that they talked about Eleksyon 2025. 'Na-share ko... na nanalo iyong dalawang PDP Laban na senator candidates, tapos iyong isang guest candidate - si (Rodante) Marcoleta, plus dalawang guest candidates from Alyansa, si Senator Camille Villar at Senator Imee Marcos.' (I shared that two PDP Laban senator candidates won, along with guest candidate Rodante Marcoleta and two guest candidates from Alyansa – Senators Camille Villar and Imee Marcos.) She also mentioned that her father wants to take his oath after winning the mayoral race in Davao. 'I want... Set me free and I will take an oath,' Sara said quoting, her father. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said it will ask the ICC to allow the former President to take oath as Davao City mayor while he is in detention in The Hague. SWS survey Duterte also addressed the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in which 88% of respondents said it was important for her to face the impeachment proceedings and answer the allegations. 'Oh, I totally agree. Kasama ako doon sa 88% na iyan... thankful sa opportunity na malinis iyong pangalan ko at masagot iyong mga akusasyon sa akin,' she said. (I totally agree. I'm part of that 88%... I'm thankful for the opportunity to clear my name and respond to the accusations against me.) The Vice President also said that the Senate's decision to move the presentation of the articles of impeachment hearings to June 11 has no effect on her. 'Wala naman siyang epekto sa akin... Iiwan na namin iyan sa mga lawyers namin, sa defense impeachment lawyers,' explained Duterte. (It has no effect on me... we'll leave that to our lawyers, the defense impeachment lawyers.) Imee The Vice President, meanwhile, also mentioned that Senator Imee Marcos, who is also currently at The Hague, was not permitted to visit her father. 'Hindi siya pinayagan ng ICC na makabisita at makausap si dating Pangulong Rodrigoe, she said. (I mentioned that she was not allowed by the ICC to visit and speak with former President Duterte.) Sara said her father was hoping to speak with Senator Marcos, but he is hopeful that there will be "another time." 'Unang-una, nagpasalamat siya. At pangalawa, sabi niya gusto nga daw niya sanang makausap si Senator Imee kaso hindi nga daw payagan pero sabi niya, 'There will be another time for that.'' (He was thankful. He wanted to talk to Senator Imee but wasn't allowed. He said, 'There will be another time for that.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec starts destruction of rejected Eleksyon 2025 ballots
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday started the destruction of 6.7 million unused official ballots and accountable forms printed for the conduct of the 2025 national and local elections (NLE). Commissioner Rey Bulay, commissioner-in-charge for the Committee on Ballot Printing, led the disposal of the rejected ballots at the National Printing Office in Quezon City . Comelec personnel will be tearing the rejected ballots before their transport to a disposal facility in Pampanga for direct melting. The process is expected to last for ten days. 'Ito ang pagpapatunay ng inyong commission…ng accountability, security, at transparency nitong election. Mula sa procurement ng printer, papel, pag-iimprenta, saksi kayong lahat,' said Bulay. (This shows the commission's commitment for accountability, security, and transparency this elections. From the procurement of the printer, paper, and printing, you witnessed it all.) 'Wala kaming itinagong proseso sa inyo. Mula doon hanggang ideploy ang mga balota at ngayon hanggang sunugin natin ang mga hindi valid na ballots para hindi magamit hanggang kailan,' he said. (We never hid any part of the process from the deployment to the destruction of the ballots.) Meanwhile, the number of invalid ballots increased from 3 million to 6.7 million for the 2025 polls, said Bulay. These included those with tear or smudges. 'Ngayong eleksyon, we doubled from the last one. 3 million lang ang invalid ballots from the last election, ngayon 6.7million. Mas maraming printing, mas maraming error, tapos may temporary restraining order pa tayo,' he added. (The number of rejected ballots doubled this year. From 3 million last elections, it is now at 6.7 million. That is because we printed more ballots and encountered more errors. We also faced a TRO.) The Comelec completed the printing of over 68 million ballots for the 2025 May polls after the process hit a snag in January following the Supreme Court's issuance of temporary restraining orders against the disqualification of some aspirants. The poll body deputized the National Printing Office in January, allowing the use of the latter's four printing machines and two machines procured by Miru Systems Inc. to ensure the "proper, satisfactory, and timely" completion of the reprinting of the official ballots for the elections. The Philippines held its midterm elections on May 12.—AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec division disqualifies Porac, Pampanga mayor
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified reelectionist Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime 'Jing' Capil in the recent May midterm elections over an Ombudsman decision, dismissing him from service over alleged ties to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities. In an eight-page order, the poll body division granted a petition filed by mayoral bet Michael Legaspi Tapang, which sought to disqualify Capil from Eleksyon 2025. This came following a ruling of the anti-graft court in April, which found the re-electionist mayor guilty of gross neglect of duty and dismissed him from public service. The Comelec ruled that the Ombudsman's decision bars Capil from seeking any elective local position as stipulated under Section 40 (b) of the Local Government Code. It also declared the votes cast in favor of Capil as stray. 'To permit a candidate who is administratively disqualified to run for office would render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile, effectively frustrating the ends of administrative discipline and making a mockery of the electoral process,' the Comelec decision read. 'The Comelec, as a constitutional commission, is duty-bound to protect the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified and eligible individuals are allowed to run for public office. Hence, this Commission must exercise its administrative authority to cancel the COC and disqualify any candidate suffering from the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman, even if the decision is pending appeal, unless judicially restrained,' it said. 'To do otherwise would be an abdication of its duty to uphold the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process,' it added. Asked about the ruling, Capil said he would file an appeal. "We will file an MR (motion for reconsideration) to Comelec . The Omb (Ombudsman) case, which is the basis of the Comelec case, is not final so Comelec cannot DQ (disqualify) me on this basis. I am presumed innocent. My votes cannot be considered stray," Capil told GMA News Online. Capil has secured a third consecutive term as mayor in the 2025 May elections despite facing controversy over alleged links to Lucky South 99 — a POGO facility in Porac that drew national attention and triggered a broader government crackdown on illegal operations. He garnered a total of 39,939 votes, successfully fending off challengers former Vice Mayor Atty. Charlie Santos (3,744) and Michael 'Mike' Tapang (23,063). Running alongside the reelectionist mayor was his daughter, Jen Capil, who clinched the vice mayoralty with 39,342 votes as against the 25,926 votes of Vincent Lusung, the running mate of Tapang. Meanwhile, the Comelec Second Division has ordered the Porac Municipal Board of Canvassers to reconvene and make necessary corrections in the certificate of canvass of votes and proclamation; and to proclaim the candidate with the highest number of votes. According to the Comelec, voter turnout in Porac reached 84.97%, with over 80,000 registered voters participating in the electoral exercise. The town comprises 29 barangays— the largest municipality in Pampanga.—With Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Duterte Youth asks CA to defer confirmation of 2 Comelec commissioners
Duterte Youth Party-list has asked the Commission on Appointments to defer the confirmation of Commission of Elections commissioners Noli Pipo and Norina Casingal for signing a resolution suspending its proclamation. Pipo and Casingal were part of the National Board of Canvassers that signed a resolution suspending the proclamation of Duterte Youth as one of the party-list winners in the Eleksyon 2025 pending petitions filed against it. 'In behalf of the 2.3 million Filipinos who voted for the Duterte Youth party-list, we seek the senators and congressmen of the Honorable CA to review the pending confirmation of Comelec Commissioners Noli Pipo and Norina Casingal, who both signed to suspend the May 19 Proclamation of the Duterte Youth party-list," the group said in a statement. "Their act of signing to delay the proclamation of a duly-elected candidate with an overwhelming mandate from the Filipino People, gives the CA a glimpse on what these Commissioners will do if they are confirmed," it added. The group also cited the case of senator-elect and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo who was proclaimed as one of the winners in the 2025 elections even if the CA previously rejected his nomination as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development due to questions about his Filipino citizenship. "We hope the CA can ask these questions to our two new COMELEC Commissioners who have pending appointments," it added. Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, for his part, welcomed the Duterte Youth's appeal as he came in defense of the two new commissioners. He explained their votes were based on the recommendation of the supervisory group of the poll body. 'Mayroon din isang balita sapagkat 'yung dalawa naming kasamahan na up for confirmation ay ipapa-revoke sa CA. Sa amin, 'yan ay isang welcome development…Sa bandang huli, it is their merit and weakness na pag-uusapan dun,' said Garcia. (We received news that the CA is being asked to revoke the appointment of our two new commissioners. We welcome that development because at the end of the day, it is their merit and weakness that will be discussed there.) 'Ang sinasabi kasi 'yung naging boto nila dun sa pagkaka-suspend ng proclamation and therefore, dapat hindi sila i-confirm. Hindi dapat na define ang kakayahan ng isang appointee dahil sa naging boto niya sa isang kaso…Ganun ang naging boto ng National Board of Canvassers, nakadepende sa recommendation ng supervisory group ng Comelec. Therefore, hindi sila basta nag-exercise ng discretion nang walang pinagbasehan. Nakabase pa rin 'yun sa naging recommendation ng grupo na incharge sa bagay na 'yan at pendency ng naging kaso,' he added. (Those who requested the revokation are citing the commissioners' votes on the suspension of proclamation of two party-lists. However, that shouldn't be the sole basis for the decision becaue their votes were also based on the recommendation of the supervisory group of the Comelec. Therefore, they did not exercise their discretion without basis.) The CA has the authority to confirm or reject the appointments made by the President. —AOL, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec en banc affirms ruling dismissing DQ case vs Tulfos
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has upheld a decision rejecting a petition for disqualification against five members of the Tulfo family, who sought seats in the Senate and House of Representatives in Eleksyon 2025, for procedural defect. In a six-paged decision issued Wednesday, the poll body junked the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by lawyer Virgilio Garcia, who had questioned the ruling of the Comelec First Division in March denying the disqualification petition against ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, broadcast journalist Ben Tulfo, ACT-CIS Representative Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo, Quezon City 2nd District Representative Ralph Tulfo, and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, the nominee of the Turismo party-list in the recent May 12 polls. Erwin, Ben and Wanda are siblings, while Jocelyn and Ralph are the wife and son, respectively, of another Tulfo sibling, Raffy, who is an incumbent senator. Erwin ranked fourth in the Senate race while his brother, Ben, lost. Ralph won his reeelection bid while the Turismo party-list failed to secure seat in the House of Representatives. Jocelyn's party-list got two seats, and she was the second nominee of the group. Political dynasty? Garcia earlier said the Tulfo candidacies constituted a political dynasty, which is prohibited under the 1987 Constitution. He likewise questioned their nationality. His petition was dismissed due to his alleged failure to submit all the required documents, including the respondents' certificates of candidacy (COC). 'The Motion for Reconsideration is denied…The assailed Order was neither without sufficient basis found in the records, nor contrary to law,' the decision reads. 'Procedural rules are not to be disdained as mere technicalities that may be ignored at will to suit the convenience of a party. They are fundamental to the orderly administration of justice and are particularly vital in election cases, where the prompt and fair resolution of disputes is imperative,' it said. The en banc added: 'In this case, the Petitioner's failure to attach the COCs of the Respondents is a serious procedural defect, not a mere lapse. The COC is the document that formally establishes a candidate's eligibility, the position sought, and the declaration of qualifications. Without it, the Commission is left to speculate on the very information alleged in the Petition, depriving it of a concrete basis for evaluation'. The Comelec en banc likewise said the allegations of political dynasty against the candidacy of the Tulfo family is 'bereft of legal basis' as there is no enabling law against political dynasties. It also said Garcia failed to submit credible or admissible evidence that would support his accusations of the citizenship of the Eleksyon 2025 bets. 'Citizenship is a legal status that is presumed to subsist unless shown otherwise by clear and affirmative proof. The records are devoid of any document or credible evidence establishing that Respondents have acquired foreign citizenship, renounced their Filipino nationality, or otherwise lost their status as natural-born Filipino citizens,' it said. 'Mere assertions regarding their alleged prolonged residence abroad, unsubstantiated by documentary proof, do not suffice to overcome the presumption of citizenship. Well-settled is the rule that mere allegation is not evidence, and he who alleges has the burden of proving his allegation with the requisite quantum of evidence,' it added. In February, Virgilio Garcia asked the Comelec to disqualify the respondents from the May elections. For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite. For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
