The Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified Romilda Bacale, who aimed to challenge House Speaker Martin Romualdez for the first district of Leyte, due to her being unregistered as a voter in Tacloban.
Bacale had transferred from Sampaloc, Manila, and was found not to meet the necessary residency requirements, with the decision being final and executory, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia.
Bacale, a former regional coordinator of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino and head of the Manila Action Center, had said she was encouraged by the people of Leyte to run.
In a separate ruling, the Comelec upheld the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr., dismissing a petition against him for term limit violations.
The Comelec clarified that Lacwasan, who served as acting governor, only completed one full term as governor and is eligible to run again.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 11, 2025
