Former Caloocan City representative Edgar Erice on Friday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against his disqualification from the May 2025 elections.
In his petition, Erice asked the court to issue a TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction to enjoin the Comelec from implementing its resolution on his disqualification.
Should the poll body proceed with the printing of the ballots, Erice asked the court to issue a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction ordering the Comelec to print the ballots anew with Erice’s name among the list of candidates.
When sought for comment, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body respects Erice’s opinion.
“It is his opinion and we respect it. We have done our constitutional duty. Hope he can reciprocate the respect,” Garcia said in a message to reporters.
In November, Comelec disqualified Erice for violation of Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code for supposedly spreading “false and alarming” information.
The Comelec Second Division also said Erice’s “act of propagating false information across multiple platforms demonstrates his deliberate intent to disrupt elections rather than legitimate criticism.”
It affirmed his disqualification in a resolution released on December 27.
Erice said his disqualification was “funny” and “ridiculous,” adding that Section 261 can only be violated during the day of the election.
“[M]aliwanag na maliwanag… ito po ay malalabag mo lamang sa araw ng halalan. At sinasabi nila na ako po ay nanggugulo sa eleksyon. Hindi po ako nanggugulo. Gusto ko po iayos ang eleksyon,” he said in an ambush interview.
(It’s very clear that this can only be violated during the day of the elections. And they’re saying that I am causing chaos. I am not. I want to fix the elections.)
“Pangalawa, sinabing I’m spreading rumors na makakaapekto sa integridad ng Comelec. Sila po ang gumagawa ng mga kalokohan para maapektuhan ang integridad nila,” he added.
(Secondly, they said I’m spreading rumors that may affect the integrity of the Comelec. But the Comelec itself is the one doing things that are affecting their integrity.)
Meanwhile, Erice said that there will be damage to the government should the SC issue a TRO after the Comelec prints the ballots.
“Halimbawa, print nila ‘yung balota, unahin nila— palagay ko, unahin pa nila ‘yung 2nd District para mawala ako. Eh di, kung magdesisyon naman ang SC, eh di i-reprint nila,” he said.
(For example, if they print the ballots— I think they will print the 2nd District’s first so that I am not there. But if the SC will make a decision, then they can reprint.)
“Kaya lang may irreparable damage sa gobyerno dahil gagastos,” he added.
(But there will be irreparable damage to the government because they will spend money.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News
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