The Commission on Elections (Comelec) halted ballot printing for the May 12 midterm elections following Supreme Court-issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) for five disqualified candidates.
Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the delay has pushed preparations back by 14 days, though the commission is working to recover lost time by using additional printing machines.
Garcia expressed concerns about further TROs disrupting the printing process but assured the elections would proceed as scheduled, as mandated by the Constitution.
Separately, senatorial candidate Jose Sonny Matula and the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party filed a petition to disqualify Apollo Quiboloy, citing legal controversies and double standards in Comelec’s decisions.
The petition argues Quiboloy’s candidacy undermines the integrity of the elections and calls for equal application of procedural rules.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 16, 2025
