Comelec cites protocol in Teodoro proclamation delay

Metro Manila, Philippines - After a near-disqualification from the congressional race, it seemed like an uphill climb for former Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro to represent the city’s first district in Congress.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 1, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a certificate of finality to implement the en banc’s reversal of the Second Division’s earlier decision, which had canceled Teodoro’s certificate of candidacy over residency issues. The en banc decision also lifted the suspension on his proclamation.

The certificate of finality indicated that the petitioners failed to obtain a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court within the five-day period, rendering the en banc ruling immediately executory.

Around noon on Tuesday, Teodoro told NewsWatch Plus there was an “unnecessary delay” in his proclamation, saying he had been waiting at the local Comelec office.

”Ayaw ng Marikina Comelec na mag convene at magproclaim kanina pa, may unnecessary delay na ginagawa,” he said in a text message.

[Translation: Comelec Marikina refuses to convene and proclaim me since a while ago, they are doing an unnecessary delay.]

Supporters of Teodoro gathered at the office, calling for his immediate proclamation.

However, Comelec Chairman George Garcia told NewsWatch Plus that Teodoro’s camp should have waited for a formal notice to convene the City Board of Canvassers, which is responsible for conducting the proclamation at the Office of the Election Officer in Marikina’s first district.

“Notice is a mandatory requirement,” Garcia said. “Part po ng guidelines sa mga Board of Canvassers.”

“It’s now the call of the City Board of Canvassers of Marikina after the issuance of the Entry of Judgment and the Certificate of Finality. It still has to observe the rules and due process,” he added.

The notice, shared by Garcia at around 1:15 p.m., stated that the city board would convene to discuss the entry of judgment and certificate of finality.

Teodoro won by a landslide against former Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III in the May 12 elections, but his proclamation had been suspended due to disqualification cases filed by Pimentel and other petitioners.