The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared that the recent issuance of an arrest warrant against Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil does not impact the separate administrative case seeking his disqualification from the May 2025 elections.
Separate Legal Tracks: Criminal Charges vs. Administrative Case
In a statement on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized the distinction between the criminal proceedings and the poll body's administrative review. The warrant was issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court in connection with alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) activities in Porac.
"The court's action regarding a criminal case has no effect on us. That's a separate case altogether," Chairman Garcia stated clearly. He underscored that the Comelec's focus remains on the purely administrative case for disqualification pending before the commission.
Background of the Disqualification Case
The election controversy stems from a ruling by the Comelec Second Division in late May 2025. The division moved to disqualify Mayor Capil, anchoring its decision on his dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman in April 2025. The Ombudsman found him guilty of gross neglect of duty.
However, the case is not yet final. Capil exercised his right to appeal by filing a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) before the Comelec en banc, which is the commission's highest decision-making body.
Decision Expected "Anytime" from Comelec En Banc
Chairman Garcia revealed that the en banc is currently deliberating on Capil's appeal. "The case is currently being resolved by the en banc... Let’s see what the en banc's decision will be, whether the decision by the division will be affirmed or reversed," the poll chief explained.
He assured the public that the commission is prioritizing the matter. The final decision on Jaime Capil's disqualification could be released "anytime," according to Garcia. This pending resolution will ultimately determine the mayor's political fate following the 2025 polls.
