The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division on Friday disqualified Catanduanes mayoral candidate Joseph Chua Cua from the 2025 midterm elections due to unresolved issues concerning his citizenship and residency.

Cua, a former governor of Catanduanes, ran for mayor of Virac in May but lost to reelectionist Sinforoso Sarmiento — the same individual who filed the petition for his disqualification, alleging him as a Chinese national.

In a 10-page decision, the Comelec granted Sarmiento’s petition, disqualifying Cua’s candidacy.

“Accordingly, the Petition for Disqualification is granted. Respondent Joseph Chua Cua is hereby disqualified as a candidate for municipal mayor of the municipality of Virac, Catanduanes,” the decision read.

Although Cua was born in the Philippines, his prolonged absence before the election raised concerns over his eligibility.

“Upon calculation, and assuming that Respondent was a resident of the Philippines since birth, he should have been a resident herein for 62 years and six months on the day before the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections. However, as it appears, Respondent has been conspicuously absent for one year in the Philippines, something which he failed to explain. This gap in Respondent's residency casts doubt on his compliance with the residence requirement of his derivative naturalization,” the ruling stated.

Comelec further noted that although Cua was born on 16 October 1962, in San Andres, Catanduanes, he failed to accumulate the necessary period of residency.

“It would be mathematically impossible for him to reside in Virac for 61 years and six months while serving as mayor of another municipality,” the commission said.