Teodoro’s Marikina win on hold as Comelec probes misrepresentation

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Tuesday suspended the proclamation of Marcy Teodoro as district representative in Marikina until the electoral complaint against him is resolved.

This stemmed from the two petitions filed before the Comelec seeking to cancel Teodoro's certificate of candidacy over alleged material misrepresentation. One of them by his contender in the congressional seat, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III.

Based on the partial, unofficial results from the Comelec transparency server, Teodoro is currently ahead of Pimentel by over 45,000 votes.

According to the Comelec, the suspension of Teodoro's proclamation and the 18 other candidates in the midterm elections "shall be effective until further orders" from them.

Aside from Teodoro, Pasig lone district representative Christian "Ian" Sia also faced suspension of proclamation, should he win, over his lewd remarks about sleeping with single mothers.

Other candidates who were ordered suspended were PBBM Party-list, Fatirma Mersa Sali Salih, Belshezzar Abubakar, Ronald Alarkon Rodriguez, Matt Erwin Florido, Gerardo Angala Noveras, Christine Marie Noveras, Darwin Sia, Aquino Romato, Jeryll Harold Respicio, Menardo Buenafe, Christian Noveras, James Macasero, Ricardo Yanson, Philip Paul Fortuno, Dani Mando, and Mando Taha.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the Comelec Division is still studying how many other cases should be added to the list.

The poll body has filed charges against several candidates in this national and local elections due to various reasons, including vote-buying and violating the Comelec's anti-discrimination resolution.