Marikina congressional battle not over: Comelec OKs Teodoro proclamation; Pimentel eyes SC challenge

Metro Manila, Philippines - Over a month after his landslide win as Marikina’s first district representative, Mayor Marcy Teodoro may finally be proclaimed—unless his rival obtains a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court.

Teodoro’s proclamation had been suspended due to pending disqualification cases.

In December, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division granted two petitions seeking to cancel Teodoro’s certificate of candidacy (COC) over alleged misrepresentation of his residency. One of the petitioners was Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, whom Teodoro defeated in the May 2025 congressional race.

Teodoro was allowed to run pending appeal, as division rulings can still be elevated to the Comelec en banc.

On Wednesday, June 25, the Comelec en banc granted Teodoro’s motion for reconsideration, reversed the First Division’s decision, lifted the suspension of his proclamation, and reinstated his COC.

The en banc ruled that the petitioners failed to prove that Teodoro had falsely claimed to be a resident of the first district, specifically Barangay San Roque, for at least one year prior to the May 12 polls.

It emphasized that election laws look at a candidate’s domicile—defined as one’s “true, fixed, and permanent” home—and that Teodoro’s temporary move to the second district did not negate his domicile in the first. His reacquisition of residence in the first district was deemed sufficient.

The Comelec also noted that Teodoro is “not a stranger or newcomer” in Marikina’s First District, having previously served as its congressman for three terms.

Comelec en banc rulings are final and executory—unless a temporary restraining order is issued by the Supreme Court.

‘Dangerous precedent’

Pimentel said he plans to challenge the Comelec ruling and seek a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court within the next five days.

He criticized the poll body for taking six months to resolve the case, calling the delay “inexcusable” and claiming it undermines the electoral process.

A veteran lawmaker and bar topnotcher, Pimentel argued that Article VI, Section 6 of the Constitution clearly requires a congressional candidate to be a resident of the district for at least one year before the election.

“If residency requirements mandated by the Constitution can be brushed aside with a flip of a resolution, what stops others from gaming or manipulating the system?” Pimentel said.

“It sets a dangerous precedent and opens the gates of electoral hell,” he added.