The Commission on Elections said on Thursday that the cancellation of the special election in Negros Oriental was the House's jurisdiction and not theirs.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that a resolution from the House of Representatives made Comelec cancel the special elections in Negros Oriental on 9 December.
"Yesterday, the Comelec formally received Resolution 154 from the House of Representatives which called for the Comelec to cancel and not continue the special elections on 9 December,"
He added that the House's basis for the resolution is that many local barangay officials in Region VII have not been proclaimed yet.
"The House of Representatives basis for making the resolution is that many local barangay officials in Region VII were reported who have not been proclaimed yet because they are respondents to the petitions for disqualification. That is why we issued an order for the suspension of their proclamation," Laudiangco added.
Laudiangco stated that the House of Representatives decided to suspend the special elections through Comelec in Negros Oriental due to the possibility of having a problem with peace and order.
"The case of former Congressman Arnie Teves is one of the main factors in the suspension of the special elections. It is still pending and subject to resolution of the Supreme Court for now. Because of this, the house orders the Comelec not to continue the special elections as it might cause a negative impact especially on the peace and order situation in Negros Oriental," Laudiangco said.
The spokesperson said that about three independent candidates have filed candidacies for the special elections.