Comelec officer: Anarna qualified to run

SILANG, Cavite Mayor Atty. Alston Kevin Anarna remains eligible to run for reelection and can still be proclaimed as mayor if he wins in the upcoming May 2025 Mid-term Elections.

This was confirmed by Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer Aris Cruz following a “unity walk” and a “peace covenant” organized by local election officials to promote a peaceful and orderly election.

Cruz clarified that despite rumors of a disqualification case against Anarna, the mayoral aspirant can still be declared the winner if he secures the highest number of votes in the election.

He also stated that the Silang Municipal Election Office had already received the official “ballots-based template” from the Comelec, which includes the names of all four mayoralty candidates, including Anarna.

“All of them are still considered aspirants until the campaign period for local positions officially begins,” Cruz explained.

Regarding the reported legal cases and court decisions against Anarna, Cruz emphasized that as long as there is no final decision declaring him disqualified, he remains eligible to run.

He further noted that their office has not received any formal disqualification cases against any of the four mayoral candidates.

“If he or anyone else wins in the upcoming election and there is no resolution yet from the Comelec en banc, we will proclaim the winner,” Cruz added.

Currently, Silang has 158,777 registered voters, with over 10,000 new registrants eligible to vote.

Cruz expressed hope that all local candidates would honor the peace covenant to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.