The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 1st Division disqualified Joseph Chua Cua from the May 2025 midterm elections due to unresolved citizenship issues, despite his loss in the Virac, Catanduanes mayoral race.
The decision followed a petition by reelectionist Sinforoso Sarmiento, who alleged that Cua is a Chinese national and therefore ineligible to run for office.
Comelec cited inconsistencies in Cua’s residency claims and his prolonged absence from the Philippines, which cast doubt on his compliance with residency and citizenship requirements.
Although Cua’s birth certificate shows he was born in Catanduanes, his failure to clarify his citizenship status and contradictory residency declarations led to his disqualification.
The poll body emphasized that identification certificates or recognition by agencies do not conclusively prove citizenship without credible evidence.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 13, 2025
